The purpose of this paper is to use data from the National Assessment of Educational Progress to describe changes in performance within the subject area of social studies and citizenship education. The items from the citizenship and social studies national assessments illustrate that trends over time are not uniform within these subject areas. The first assessment of citizenship was conducted during 1969-1970 and the first assessment of social studies was conducted during 1971-1972. Both subject areas were reassessed in 1975-1976. The population sampled were 9-, 13-, and 17-year-olds. There are two main sections to the paper: the first describes and analyzes changes in political knowledge and attitudes, while the second describes and analyzes changes in social studies skills, knowledge, and attitudes. Trends indicated declining performance in the area of political knowledge and attitudes. Achievement levels dropped in all the content areas assessed, particularly in knowledge of government and political process. Students' valuing of constitutional rights and respect for others did not decline substantially. Changes in overall social studies achievement appeared related to age level: 9-year-olds showed no significant change; 13-year-olds achievement declined slightly; and 17-year-olds performance dropped substantially. (Author/JK) Primary type of information provided by report: Results (Change).