NAEP Restricted-Use Data Files

Use the links below to find information on NAEP data for secondary analysis.

• Available datasets, with variables in each, in Excel and CSV files
• High School Transcript Study datasets
• Linking school or student variables to more information in CCD or PSS
• Older NAEP data

Available datasets, with variables in each, in Excel and CSV files

Researchers may need to know which variables are available across several years of data. For each of the restricted-use datasets in the table below, there is a Microsoft Excel workbook and a set of files with comma-separated values (CSV) listing the subject, NAEP ID, variable label, and grade (or age, if long-term trend). The Excel files (no larger than 300K) and CSV files (no larger than 188K) can be downloaded to facilitate locating the variables of interest.

Please note that variable labels in the datasets below match those in the codebook accompanying the restricted-use datasets for which licensed organizations can apply. The variable names won't always agree with those in the NAEP Data Explorer (NDE), because the NDE is intended for a more general audience; however, the NAEP IDs for the variables are the same as in the NDE. NAEP IDs are usually 6-digits preceded by a letter, or else a name given to a derived variable, such as SLUNCH3 or PARED. For a quick analysis involving particular variables, search for the NAEP IDs in the NDE.

To learn more about NAEP analyses, order a copy of The NAEP Primer.

In order to analyze the data below, be sure to request the latest version of the NAEP Data Toolkit (version 1.7 or higher).

1990–2009 NAEP Restricted-Use Data on CD-ROM: Catalog Entries and Data Variables Documents (See HSTS Data Below)

¹The 2008 mathematics or reading long-term trend data variables listings provide an addendum to those found under the 2004 long-term trend entry. Both the 2004 revised (see the 2004 bridge study) and 2008 assessments used the same instruments and administration procedures; therefore most of the 2008 variables are the same as those listed in the 2004 revised column (2004R). Beginning with the 2004 revised format, long-term trend assessments were administered to a more inclusive population of students, and SD/ELL questionnaire variables are provided for 2004 and 2008 only. 

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High School Transcript Study datasets

Variables included in the restricted-use data for the 2009 High School Transcript Study and for 2005 and 2000 are not yet provided in the table above. For the variables that are available in HSTS, see the codebooks in the appendices of the 2009 HSTS User's Guide and in the 2007 HSTS User's Guide and Technical Report.

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Linking NAEP school or student variables to more information in CCD or PSS

• Main NAEP: School and student data can be linked to the school data in the Common Core of Data (CCD) from 2000 forward, or the Private School Survey (PSS) from 2002 forward. This linkage will provide extra school information, including ZIP codes. Prior to 2000, there are school ID variables in the NAEP datasets, but none that can be linked to CCD or PSS.

• High School Transcript Study (HSTS): Beginning with the 2005 dataset, links to the CCD and PSS files are available in the restricted-use school databases. The SCHREFFI variable indicates the base file (CCD or PSS), while the SCHREFID variable lists the school identification number within the file. In 2005, there were a small number of HSTS schools that were non-participating NAEP schools; but in 2009, all HSTS schools overlapped NAEP, so that a cross-walk can be made from HSTS to the CCD or PSS.

• Long-Term Trend: Datasets for 2004 also contain variables linkable to CCD and PSS. 

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Older NAEP Data

Several sets of NAEP data from 1970 to 1980 and from the 1987 High School Transcript Study are available online from the University of Michigan Inter-University Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR). Data may be downloaded after agreement to ICPSR terms. See membership information for further details.

Further information about secondary analysis of NAEP data is available on this NAEP website, as is information on tools to assist your analysis, on applying for a license to analyze restricted-use data, and research funding opportunities. If you cannot find the information you need, please Contact NAEP.

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