The National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is an integral measure of academic progress across the nation and over time. It is the largest nationally representative and continuing assessment of what our nation's students know and can do in various subjects, such as civics, mathematics, reading, and U.S. history. The program also provides valuable insights into students' educational experiences and opportunities to learn in and outside of the classroom. NAEP is a congressionally mandated program administered by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), within the U.S. Department of Education and the Institute of Education Sciences. The 2024-2025 program will include the long-term trend assessments for 9-, 13-, and 17-year-olds. This brief report explains why NAEP is important and how it is administered.