NAEP Math — US Math Score Trends

NAEP Math Scores Declined in 2022

On the 2022 NAEP, students nationally experienced across-the-board math score declines from 2019. 8th grade math scores had the largest decline ever — by 8 points.
Math declines in 4th grade and 8th grade were across all math content areas: number properties and operations; measurement; geometry; algebra; and data analysis, statistics, and probability.

2022 Math Survey Findings

The proportion of 8th graders who expressed confidence they could solve a variety of math problems declined between 2019 and 2022.
Teachers reported feeling less inspired and more overworked and reported lacking confidence with helping students close knowledge and skill gaps.

Nation’s Report Card: Math and Reading Achievement Level Examples

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Math Frameworks of Knowledge and Skills by Topic and Grade

US Math Achievement Level Examples

4th Grade

Achievement Level	Example of Knowledge or Skill
NAEP Basic	Locate whole numbers on a number line.
NAEP Proficient	Add and subtract multi-digit whole numbers, fractions, and decimals in single and multi-step problems.
NAEP Advanced	Compare and order whole numbers, fractions, and decimals to hundredths.

8th Grade

Achievement Level	Example of Knowledge or Skill
NAEP Basic	Find a missing angle in a triangle given two angles.
NAEP Proficient	Apply strategies to solve Pythagorean Theorem problems.
NAEP Advanced	Solve problems involving area, including composing and decomposing complex figures.

See the Framework and Specifications

NAEP Math Assessment Framework

What math knowledge and skills are students in 4th grade, 8th grade, and 12th grades asked to demonstrate? The NAEP Math Assessment Framework provides a detailed blueprint of skills by topic and grade.

See the Framework and Specifications

Math Assessment Schedule

2026	National, state, and TUDA math scores for 4th grade and 8th grade
2028	National and state math scores for 4th, 8th, and 12th grades; TUDA math scores for 4th grade and 8th grade
2030	National, state, and TUDA math scores for 4th grade and 8th grade
2032	National and state math scores for 4th, 8th, and 12th grades; TUDA math scores for 4th grade and 8th grade

More NAEP Math Resources