The 2005 NAEP program included state-level and national-level assessments in reading, mathematics, and science at grades 4 and 8. The NAEP assessment was administered at the state level for the first time in 1990. The first state science assessments were given at grade 4 in 2000. In 2005, both grades 4 and 8 were assessed. The 1996, 2000, and 2005 assessments were based on the same science assessment framework.

The state snapshot reports and their companion, The Nation's Report Card: Science 2005, provide a look at the main results of the NAEP 2005 Science assessment. Each participating jurisdiction receives its own customized state report, as seen here. The Nation's Report Card: Science 2005 offers data for all participating states and additional national data. The NAEP Data Explorer provides information for all jurisdictions for which results are reported in 2005 and allows the user not only to develop custom data tables, but also to perform appropriate tests of statistical significance for within- or across-state data comparisons.

Within each state report the overall scale score and achievement-level results are provided, in addition to student group results. The information is presented on a single page for each grade assessed in the particular state or jurisdiction.