Trump administration axes NAEP exam for high schoolers: A visionary reform or a smoke screen for US education?

The Trump administration’s decision to discontinue the NAEP Long-Term Trend Exam for 17-year-olds has sparked controversy, with supporters calling it a cost-cutting reform and critics warning of a deliberate attempt to obscure declining academic performance. The latest NAEP report reveals a sharp drop in math and reading scores, widening achievement gaps. As the debate over its significance intensifies, questions arise about whether this move will weaken educational accountability or prompt necessary policy shifts.