This report presents the results of the 2002 assessment in writing from the National Assessment of Educational Progress for the nation and for the participating states and jurisdictions. Comparisons are made to performance in the national assessment of 1998 at grades 4, 8, and 12. Comparison data are given within and across participating states and jurisdictions for 2002 at grade 4 and for both 1998 and 2002 at grade 8. Student performance is reported in terms of average scale scores on the NAEP writing scale and by the percentages of students who attained the achievement levels set by the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB). In addition, the report presents percentile distributions and demographic subgroup results for the nation, including results by gender, race/ethnicity, student eligibility for free/reduced-price school lunch, Title I, parents' highest level of education, type of school, and type of school location. For participating states and jurisdictions, performance results for subgroups defined by gender, race/ethnicity, and student eligibility for free/reduced-price school lunch are presented. The report also includes sample assessment writing tasks and examples of student responses in narrative, informative, and persuasive writing modes. Scoring guides for each of the writing modes at grades 4, 8, and 12 as well as rationales for scores of student responses are provided. Appendices include information on national and state samples, school and student participation rates, participation and accommodation of students with disabilities and/or limited-English-proficient students, subgroup percentages, and state-level contextual variables. (RS)