The National Essential Skills Study asks participants to identify what they believe are the 20 to 30 most important topics in each of four subject areas:

• English language arts
• mathematics
• science
• social studies

The topics compiled for each content area were adapted from national standards as identified by the National Council of Teachers of English, the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics, the National Research Council, and the National Council for the Social Studies, and from various state standards. All topics were reviewed by teams of subject-specialist teachers. In all, 50 English language arts, 70 mathematics, 85 science, and 60 social studies topics were identified for incorporation in NESS. Click here to take the NESS survey.

The results show the national rankings as well as the rankings by various groups:

• Business/Industry
• Other Non-educators
• Subject Area Educators
• Other Educators

As of December 2007, nearly 14,000 educators, parents, business people, and other stakeholders nationwide had responded to the NESS survey. Residents of all 50 states and the Virgin Islands have participated.

Survey Results

English Language Arts

Mathematics

Science

Social Studies

Instructions on how to use the NESS results.