Standards & Testing

Education standards and evolving strategies for measuring whether students and schools meet them

Report

None of the Above: A New Vision for State Standardized Testing

Authored byLynn Olson, Thomas Toch

A blueprint proposing a new role for state standardized tests that aims to promote high standards, enhance transparency for policymakers and parents, and strongly emphasize teaching and learning.

Report

Unfinished Agenda: The Future of Standards-Based School Reform

Authored byMichael Cohen, Laura Slover

Reflections on the evolution of the standards movement in American and the movement’s future

Report

Changing the Narrative: The Push for New Equity Measures in Education

Authored byLynn Olson, Thomas Toch

The movement to introduce new indicators of school performance

Report

The Big Test: The Future of Statewide Standardized Assessments

Authored byLynn Olson, Craig Jerald

The backlash against standardized testing that has changed how states evaluate students

From the Field

Paper vs. Online Testing: What’s the Impact on Test Scores?

A testing expert discusses the shift to online assessments

Commentary

Proficiency vs. Growth: Toward a Better Measure

Authored byMorgan Polikoff

The value of “growth” measures in judging student and school performance

NAEP

31%

4th-graders proficient in reading on the 2024 NAEP
35%

4th-graders proficient in reading on the 2019 NAEP

Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress

PISA Scores

34%

U.S. students considered to be low performers on the 2022 PISA math test
7%

U.S. students considered to be high performers on the 2022 PISA math test

Source: PISA

NAEP Scores & Absenteeism

45%

4th grade reading NAEP score decline explained by changes in absenteeism
27%

4th grade math NAEP score decline explained by changes in absenteeism

Source: The White House

NAEP Scores, 13-year-olds

85%

13-year-olds who demonstrated skills in basic problem solving and math operations in 2012
71%

13-year-olds who demonstrated skills in basic problem solving and math operations in 2022

Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

NAEP History Scores

29%

8th graders scoring below "basic" on NAEP U.S. history, 2014
40%

8th graders scoring below "basic" on NAEP U.S. history, 2022

Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

NAEP Scores 2022

5 points

Decline in NAEP reading scores between 2020 and 2022
7 points

Decline in NAEP math scores

Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress 2022

Standards-Aligned Materials

26%

Math materials used by teachers that are aligned to standards
16%

English Language Arts materials

Source: Ed Reports

2022 State NAEP Math Scores

43

States with significantly more 4th graders scoring below NAEP Basic in math
48

States with significantly more 8th graders

Source: National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)

Commentary

The Important Connection Between Attendance and Student Achievement

Authored byLiz Cohen

Read More about The Important Connection Between Attendance and Student Achievement

Explainer

The New NAEP Scores Highlight a Standards Gap in Many States

Authored byThomas Toch, Bella DiMarco

Read More about The New NAEP Scores Highlight a Standards Gap in Many States

Commentary

Why Many Top Colleges are Sticking with Test-Optional Admissions

Authored byStephen Burd

Read More about Why Many Top Colleges are Sticking with Test-Optional Admissions

From the Field

WEBINAR: The Future of State Standardized Testing

Read More about WEBINAR: The Future of State Standardized Testing

From the Field

Research Notes: Study Finds Persistent Post-Pandemic Grade Inflation

Authored byKristian Thymianos

Read More about Research Notes: Study Finds Persistent Post-Pandemic Grade Inflation

Report

None of the Above: A New Vision for State Standardized Testing

Authored byLynn Olson, Thomas Toch

Read More about None of the Above: A New Vision for State Standardized Testing

From the Field

Q&A: Allensworth on Grades Versus Tests in College Admissions

Authored byMaureen Kelleher

Read More about Q&A: Allensworth on Grades Versus Tests in College Admissions

From the Field

What the New PISA Results Really Say About U.S. Schools

Authored byJill Barshay

Read More about What the New PISA Results Really Say About U.S. Schools

From the Field

Research Notes: Easing Academic Standards Hurts Struggling Students

Authored byKristian Thymianos

Read More about Research Notes: Easing Academic Standards Hurts Struggling Students

Commentary

When School Reform Is Not Enough

Authored byJosh Anderson

Read More about When School Reform Is Not Enough

Explainer

What the Pandemic Did to NAEP, State Standardized Test Scores

Authored byBella DiMarco

Read More about What the Pandemic Did to NAEP, State Standardized Test Scores

From the Field

Webinar: Unfinished Agenda: The Future of Standards-Based School Reform

Read More about Webinar: Unfinished Agenda: The Future of Standards-Based School Reform