NAEP scores came out today, and some seem to be “freaking out” about them.

I think everybody can calm down.

As I’ve said before, I’m not convinced that students taking the NAEP really care about the results – their literally are no tangible rewards or consequences for doing well or poorly on them, unlike, for example, the SAT.  And there’s research that backs up that belief.  You can read more about that and other info that might be a bit reassuring at my post last year, The Best – & Most Level-Headed – Resources About This Year’s NAEP Scores.

Here are articles worth reading about this year’s scores:

New: A look at the latest 12th grade test scores, which paint a grim picture.*

*Officials acknowledge, though, that rising graduation rates could complicate the longer-run interpretation of these results if more low-performing students are now taking the test.

www.wsj.com/us-news/educ…

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— Matt Barnum (@mattbarnum.bsky.social) September 9, 2025 at 7:34 AM

Student test scores are sliding, reaching new lows www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/…

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— Larry Ferlazzo (@larryferlazzo.bsky.social) September 9, 2025 at 4:52 AM

In National Assessment of Educational Progress tests administered in early 2024, high school seniors posted historically low math and reading scores.

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— Chalkbeat (@chalkbeat.org) September 9, 2025 at 8:34 AM