Education Secretary Linda McMahon pledged to maintain the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), also known as the Nation’s Report Card, even as her cabinet department faced cuts. During a meeting with ed tech companies, she emphasized its importance for honest evaluation of student knowledge nationwide. However, this commitment has faced challenges.
On Monday, the NAEP’s oversight board decided to discontinue over a dozen assessments over the next seven years to cut costs and comply with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The main reading and math tests mandated by Congress were retained. Yet, the Long-Term Trend NAEP and several other assessments, including fourth grade science and 12th grade history, were cut. Additionally, state and local results for some exams, like 12th grade reading and math in 2028, were eliminated.
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Board chair Beverly Perdue expressed regret over the cuts, stating, “None of us want to do this.” The vice chair, Martin West, explained that the decision aimed to preserve the 2026 assessments amid financial pressures. Despite these measures, concerns remain about whether the quality of the NAEP can be preserved.
DOGE has demanded a 50% cut to the $190 million annual testing program. Outside contractors manage most of the work, but their funding has been fragmented, pressuring them to accept drastic cuts. Some contracts may run out of funds soon, requiring DOGE’s approval to continue operations, with one contract already depleted on March 31.
A DOGE dilemma
Concerns have been raised about the potential impact of budget cuts on the quality and validity of the exam. If significant changes occur, comparing future results to 2024 may become impossible, undermining the assessment’s purpose. The board opted to maintain NAEP’s quality with fewer tests.
While the Long-Term Trend assessment is congressionally required, its frequency is not specified, allowing for its deferral until 2033. Testing experts question its redundancy given the main NAEP’s long history. The writing assessments faced similar challenges, with AI debates complicating their overhaul.
Cost cutting
West, advocating for NAEP efficiency, acknowledged the difficulty of testing changes without compromising current exam quality. The exact savings from the cancellations are unclear but likely fall short of DOGE’s 50% target. The main NAEP’s preservation remains a major cost driver.
Related: NAEP, the Nation’s Report Card, was supposed to be safe. It’s not
Education advocates, like Allison Socol from EdTrust, stress the importance of subjects like science and history in education. She warns that further cuts could hinder STEM skill development, vital for future careers.
The Education Department announced the 2026 NAEP’s continuation, but its capacity to oversee the process is uncertain after significant staff reductions. Socol criticizes the administration’s apparent reluctance to measure student achievement, suggesting it could obscure inequality.
The future of NAEP now depends on DOGE’s decisions, with McMahon’s influence limited despite her support for the assessments. As one insider noted, “McMahon’s views affect DOGE priorities, but McMahon doesn’t have direct control at all.”
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