As an initial review of National Assessment of Educational Progress data designed to determine whether the achievement of American youth is improving, a limited examination of changes in levels of achievement during the 1970s is presented. Benchmark assessments established in 1974-75 indicates a large degree of consistency from one learning area to another in terms of the various regional and racial subgroups of students. Findings on levels of achievement over the 9-year period were examined. Overall the achievement pattern for 9-year-olds was found to be quite encouraging; clearly less encouraging for 13-year-olds; and disheartening for 17-year-olds. Differential changes in each learning area and the relative improvement of low-achieving subgroups are discussed. Possible school and societal factors influencing achievement are examined. (CM)