The 8th Grade Physics Monthly Exam has been discontinued. This decision was made by the National Assessment Governing Board (NAGB) in response to the changing educational landscape and the need to focus on core subjects. According to data from the NAGB, the exam was removed from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) in 2017 due to a shift in priorities and the recognition that the exam was not being used effectively by educators and policymakers.

The discontinuation of the 8th Grade Physics Monthly Exam was driven by several factors. Firstly, there was a growing consensus among educators and policymakers that the exam was not aligned with the current standards and expectations for 8th-grade students. The exam was perceived as being too advanced and not reflective of the typical curriculum covered in 8th-grade physics classes. This misalignment led to concerns about the validity and reliability of the exam's results.

Secondly, the NAGB conducted a review of the exam's usage and found that it was not being utilized effectively by educators and policymakers. The exam was not being used as a tool for instructional improvement or as a basis for informing educational policy. Instead, it was often viewed as an additional burden on teachers and students, without providing significant educational value.

Data from the NAGB's review revealed that only a small percentage of schools actually administered the exam, and even fewer used the results to inform their instructional practices. This low level of utilization highlighted the need for a more focused and relevant assessment system that aligns with the current educational goals and standards.

The decision to discontinue the 8th Grade Physics Monthly Exam was part of a larger effort by the NAGB to streamline the NAEP and ensure that it remains a valuable tool for assessing student achievement in key subjects. By focusing on core subjects and aligning assessments with current educational standards, the NAGB aims to provide a more accurate and meaningful picture of student performance in the United States.