New Results Show Eighth-Graders' Knowledge of
U.S. History, Geography, and Civics
Nationally, eighth graders' average scores on the NAEP U.S. history, geography, and civics assessments showed no significant change in 2014, compared to 2010—the last assessment year. However, several student groups have made gains. In 2014, eighteen percent of eighth-graders performed at or above the Proficient level in U.S. history, 27 percent performed at or above theProficient level in geography, and 23 percent performed at or above the Proficient level in civics. Students performing at or above the Proficient level on NAEP assessments demonstrate solid academic performance and competency over challenging subject matter.
This interactive report presents average score and achievement level results of the nation's eighth-grade students by gender, race/ethnicity, parental education levels, and other student groups. The report also describes classroom practices and students' attitudes regarding these subjects, and features sample questions and student performance on those questions. Below is an overview of the results and the assessment content for the 2014 U.S. history, geography, and civics assessments.
This interactive report presents average score and achievement level results of the nation's eighth-grade students by gender, race/ethnicity, parental education levels, and other student groups. The report also describes classroom practices and students' attitudes regarding these subjects, and features sample questions and student performance on those questions. Below is an overview of the results and the assessment content for the 2014 U.S. history, geography, and civics assessments.
Report Highlights
About the Assessments
More than 29,000 eighth-graders across the country participated in the 2014 NAEP assessments in U.S. history, geography, and civics. Each student responded to multiple-choice and constructed-response (open-ended) questions in one of the three subjects.
U.S. HISTORY
U.S. history questions measured students’ knowledge of American history in the context of four major themes: Democracy, Culture, Technology, and World Role.
| Democracy | Culture | Technology | World Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30% | 30% | 20% | 20% |
GEOGRAPHY
Geography questions measured the knowledge of geography in three content areas: Space and Place, Environment and Society, Spatial Dynamics and Connections.
| Space and Place | Environment and Society | Spatial Dynamics and Connections |
|---|---|---|
| 40% | 30% | 30% |
CIVICS
Civics questions measured students’ knowledge and skills related to five essential content areas about government and society. Separate scales were not created for the knowledge components of the civics assessment.
| Define Civic Life, Politics, Government | Foundations of American Political System | Government Embodiment of American Democracy | U.S. Relationship to Other Nations | Roles of Citizens |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15% | 25% | 25% | 15% | 20% |
Available Now:
Results from the 2014 U.S. History, Geography, and Civics Report
- Explore the 2014 U.S. history, geography, and civics report.
- Join the U.S. history, geography, and civics report webinar.
- Read the statement from Peggy Carr, Acting Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics.
- Read the National Assessment Governing Board's news release.
Vocabulary Results from the 2013 Reading Assessment
- Explore the 2013 vocabulary report.
- Read the National Assessment Governing Board's news release.
- See a summary of your state’s performance in State Profiles.
- Compare your state to others using State Comparisons.
- Learn more about the assessments by viewing Sample Questions.
- Create custom tables and graphs of NAEP results using the Data Explorer.
- Explore the results of the NAEP Trial Urban District Assessments (TUDA) using the District Profiles.
Explore information on the instructional factors related to student education in the following subject areas:
- Arts
- Civics
- Economics
- Geography
- Long-Term Trend
- Mathematics at grades 4 and 8, andgrade 12
- Reading at grades 4 and 8, and grade 12
- Science
- U.S. History
- Writing
