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The 2018 grade 8 TEL results are in!

In 2018, the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) administered the digitally based Technology and Engineering Literacy (TEL) assessment to better understand what U.S. students know and can do in the areas of technology and engineering.

Eighth-grade students were presented with real-world technology and engineering challenges. They were asked to respond to questions aimed at assessing their knowledge and skills in understanding technological principles, solving technology and engineering-related problems, and using technology to communicate and collaborate. Students also answered questions about their experiences learning about and engaging in technology and engineering both in and outside of school.

Below are the key findings for the NAEP TEL assessment. Results are compared to the previous assessment year in 2014.

Show details about the assessment

The TEL assessment was administered on laptops between January and March 2018

  • National sample size was 15,400 eighth-graders from 600 schools.
  • Results are available for the nation.
  • Performance is reported as
    • Average scale scores: 0-300 scale
    • NAEP Achievement Levels: NAEP Basic, NAEP Proficient, NAEP Advanced
  • The assessment included 15 scenario-based tasks and 77 discrete questions.
  • Total testing time per student was 60 minutes.
  • Survey questionnaires were administered to students and school administrators.

Table of
Contents

Scores at a Glance
Increase in average overall TEL score for eighth-graders in 2018 compared to 2014

Compared to 2014, there was a 2-point increase in the average overall TEL score at grade 8 in 2018.

2014 ScoreScore Change2018 Score
150
on 0–300 scale
2ptsIcon showing an arrow pointing up
Increase from 2014 to 2018
152
on 0–300 scale

The TEL assessment measures three interconnected content areas—Technology and Society, Design and Systems, and Information and Communication Technology—and three practices that cut across the content areas—Understanding Technological Principles, Developing Solutions and Achieving Goals, and Communicating and Collaborating. When solving problems, students are expected to be able to apply each of the TEL practices within and across the content areas. Learn more about what the TEL content areas and practices measure.

In 2018, eighth-grade students also scored higher in all three TEL content areas and in all three practices compared to 2014.

2018 ScoreScore Change
TEL
Content
Areas		Technology & Society152
2 ptsIcon showing an arrow pointing up
Design & Systems153
3 ptsIcon showing an arrow pointing up
Information & Communication Technology153
3 ptsIcon showing an arrow pointing up
 
TEL
Practices		Understanding Technological Principles152
2 ptsIcon showing an arrow pointing up
Developing Solutions & Achieving Goals152
2 ptsIcon showing an arrow pointing up
Communicating & Collaborating153
3 ptsIcon showing an arrow pointing up
See Details Using the TEL Report Card:
Scores by Percentiles
Increases in overall TEL scores for middle- and higher-performing eighth-graders in 2018

NAEP reports scores at five selected percentiles to show the progress made by lower- (10th and 25th percentiles), middle- (50th percentile), and higher- (75th and 90th percentiles) performing students. In comparison to 2014, the 2018 overall TEL scores were higher for eighth-graders performing at the 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles.

Percentiles chart
See Details Using the TEL Report Card:
NAEP Achievement-Level Results
Higher percentage of eighth-graders at or above NAEP Proficient compared to 2014

In 2018, forty-six percent of eighth-grade students performed at or above the NAEP Proficient level in TEL compared to 43 percent of students in 2014.

Achievement-Level Results chart
Show Detail

Baseline:
NAEP Proficient
set at NAEP Basic
Show NAEP achievement-level details

In 2018, the percentages of eighth-grade students who performed at or above NAEP Proficient were higher for several student groups compared to 2014.

Changes in NAEP Proficient and NAEP Advanced achievement-level results for eighth-grade students assessed in NAEP technology and engineering literacy (TEL), by student group: 2014 and 2018
Student groupsAt or above NAEP ProficientAt NAEP ProficientAt NAEP Advanced
Race/ethnicity
WhiteIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating that results were higher
BlackIcon indicating that results were higherIcon indicating that results were higherIcon indicating no significant difference
HispanicIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating no significant difference
AsianIcon indicating that results were higherIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating that results were higher
Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific IslanderIcon indicating reporting standards not metIcon indicating reporting standards not metIcon indicating reporting standards not met
American Indian/Alaska NativeIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating no significant difference
Two or More RacesIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating no significant difference
Gender
MaleIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating that results were higher
FemaleIcon indicating that results were higherIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating that results were higher
Eligibility for National School Lunch Program
EligibleIcon indicating that results were higherIcon indicating that results were higherIcon indicating that results were higher
Not eligibleIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating that results were higher
Information not availableIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating no significant difference
Type of School
PublicIcon indicating that results were higherIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating that results were higher
Private: CatholicIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating no significant difference
CharterIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating no significant difference
Public, noncharterIcon indicating that results were higherIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating that results were higher
Other student groups with statistically significant changes
Parents did not finish high schoolIcon indicating that results were higherIcon indicating that results were higherIcon indicating no significant difference
Either parent graduated from collegeIcon indicating that results were higherIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating that results were higher
Students attending schools in cityIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating that results were higher
Students not identified as students with disabilitiesIcon indicating that results were higherIcon indicating no significant differenceIcon indicating that results were higher
Students not identified as English language learnersIcon indicating that results were higherIcon indicating that results were higherIcon indicating that results were higher
Icon indicating that results were higherThe 2018 percentage is higher than the 2014 percentage.
Icon indicating no significant differenceNo significant difference between 2014 and 2018.
Icon indicating reporting standards not metReporting standards not met. Sample size insufficient to permit reliable comparisons.

NAEP achievement levels are performance standards that describe what students should know and be able to do. Results are reported as percentages of students performing at or above three achievement levels (NAEP Basic, NAEP Proficient, and NAEP Advanced). Students performing at or above the NAEP Proficient level on NAEP assessments demonstrate solid academic performance and competency over challenging subject matter. NAEP Proficient does not represent grade-level proficiency as determined by other assessment standards (e.g., state or district assessments). As provided by law, NAEP achievement levels are to be used on a trial basis and should be interpreted and used with caution. Find out more about the NAEP TEL achievement levels.

Show Detail
See Details Using the TEL Report Card:
Score Differences by Gender
Female students outperformed male students in TEL

In 2018, female students scored higher than their male peers in TEL overall. Female students also scored higher than their male peers in more content areas and practices in 2018 compared to 2014.

20142018
TEL
Overall		FemaleDashed lines151* 155
Female-male
Score gap		3point significant score gap5point significant score gap
Male149150
* Significantly different (p < .05) from 2018.Score gaps are calculated based on unrounded scores

TEL Content Areas

Technology & Society
20142018
Female151*154
Female-male
Score gap		14
Male149151
Design & Systems
20142018
Female150*154
Female-male
Score gap		#1
Male150152
Information & Communication Technology
20142018
Female153*156
Female-male
Score gap		67
Male147149

TEL Practices

Understanding Technological Principles
20142018
Female151*154
Female-male
Score gap		13
Male149151
Developing Solutions & Achieving Goals
20142018
Female151*155
Female-male
Score gap		24
Male149150
Communicating & Collaborating
20142018
Female153*157
Female-male
Score gap		57
Male147149
NOTE: Score gaps are calculated based on unrounded scores between male and female students.
# Rounds to zero.
* Significantly different (p < .05) from 2018.
Significant differenceNo significant difference

 

See Details Using the TEL Report Card:
Coursetaking
A higher percentage of students reported taking at least one course related to technology or engineering compared to 2014

As part of the TEL assessment, students answered survey questionnaires that included questions about their learning experiences in technology and engineering. For example, students were asked whether they had taken the following classes in school: industrial technology; engineering; any class that involves learning to use, program, or build computers; or any other technology-related class. Students could select one or more of the classes or indicate that they had not taken any of these classes.

Fifty-seven percent of eighth-graders reported taking at least one class related to technology or engineering in 2018, an increase of 5 percentage points compared to 2014.

Chart

Students who reported taking at least one technology- or engineering-related class in 2018 had a higher TEL score on average than those who reported not taking any of these classes.

Chart
See Details Using the TEL Report Card:
Explore Sample Scenario-Based Tasks

In the NAEP TEL assessment, students were tested with computer simulations of technology and engineering problem-solving tasks set in a variety of realistic scenarios. Using laptops, students interacted with these scenario-based tasks that included videos, audio clips, animations, and text.

For example, in the task Andromeda, a television network is using a website to promote a television show about the Andromeda Galaxy. Students need to select a suitable image of the Andromeda Galaxy for the website. They must secure permission to use a copyrighted image and to properly credit use of the image in accordance with fair use guidelines.

A picture of the Andromeda galaxy

Students were able to select appropriate information to communicate an idea in accordance with fair use guidelines but were less able to accurately cite the source of copyrighted material.

60%
of students correctly identified images that could be legally used on a website.
51%
of students identified the proper reference style to use for writing a citation.
29%
of students successfully wrote a citation that included all required copyright information.
Explore additional sample TEL tasks from the 2014 TEL assessment:
A picture of the Andromeda galaxy
Addressing pollution from Chicago’s growthA picture of the Andromeda galaxy
Designing a safe and cost-effective bike pathA picture of the Andromeda galaxy
Optimizing the design of an iguana habitatA picture of the Andromeda galaxy
Campaigning for a new teen rec center
Show Notes and Sources
Additional Data and Resources
Explore more 2018 grade 8 TEL results and resources
Results Sample Tasks & Questions Student Questionnaires Student Group Comparisons Tool
About the TEL Assessment