Magnet Voice: The Data Behind Student Success

How are students performing today—and what can education leaders learn from the data? In this episode of Magnet Voice, MSA CEO Ramin Taheri welcomes Dr. Peggy Carr, former Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) and one of the nation's foremost experts on educational measurement and assessment. Dr. Carr discusses the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), known as the Nation's Report Card, and explains how it differs from state accountability assessments. She shares insights into post-pandemic learning recovery, widening achievement gaps, chronic absenteeism, student engagement, and the importance of school climate. The conversation also explores examples of states making progress, promising practices such as the science of reading and high-dosage tutoring, and how magnet schools create environments that support student success through innovation, inclusivity, and engagement. In This Episode 1. What NAEP measures and why it matters 2. How NAEP differs from state assessments 3. Student achievement trends since the pandemic 4. Why achievement gaps continue to widen 5. The impact of chronic absenteeism on learning 6. The role of school climate and student engagement About Dr. Peggy Carr Dr. Peggy Carr is a nationally recognized education researcher and statistician who served as Commissioner of the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) from 2021–2025. Prior to serving as Commissioner, she spent decades leading work related to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), often referred to as the Nation's Report Card. She currently serves as a visiting professor at the University of Maryland.