Trending Downward: Highlighting 2017–2019 Changes Across NAEP Noncognitive Constructs

• In Event: Educational Research With Diverse National and International Data Sets

Abstract

NAEP 2019 results showed decreases from 2017 in student achievement for 8th grade mathematics, 4th- and 8th-grade reading, and 8th-grade science. The paper explores whether there were concurrent changes in noncognitive traits as measured by NAEP survey data. Our results show across the board declines at 4th- and 8th-grades in the percentage of students with high enjoyment for complex problems and high persistence in learning and at the 8th-grade in the percentage with a high interest in mathematics. Declines were also found at both grades in the percentage of students who felt like they were reaching mathematics performance goals and mastery goals, and the percentage feeling a sense of belonging at school.

Authors

• Martin Hooper, American Institutes for Research

• Rebecca C. Shipan, Stanford University

• Jennifer Mazzella, American Institutes for Research

• Alison Filbey, American Institutes for Research