The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what the nation's students know and can do in various subjects such as mathematics, reading, science, and writing, as well as civics, geography, technology and engineering literacy, and U.S. history. The results of NAEP are released as The Nation's Report Card. District staff play an essential role in NAEP. Superintendents and district staff can work closely with principals to explain the importance of the assessment to teachers and participating students. When students take part in the assessment and give their best effort, NAEP gets the most accurate measure possible of student achievement across the country. This document briefly describes how NAEP functions as an integral part of education in the United States and highlights features that may be helpful for district and school staff.