A variety of adults were surveyed on alternative strategies for the State of Louisiana's minimum competency testing program. Both individual and group interviews were conducted with teachers, local school district supervisors and program administrators, parents, and state board of education members. Participants discussed what a state testing program should accomplish and suggested alternative testing strategies. The current testing program used the Basic Skills Tests (BST). Respondents wanted to retain its diagnostic capabilities and its use for student promotion and accountability. Additional concerns included comparison with national norms, remedial opportunities, policy making information, longitudinal research data, testing of higher-level skills, and not interfering with regular instruction. Four testing models were developed: state criterion referenced test (CRT) including norm referenced items; (2) adaptive state CRT; (3) state CRT based on a published norm referenced test; and (4) state CRT and published norm referenced test. The alternative to discontinue testing was removed from consideration. Some groups were interviewed repeatedly; participants were informed of findings of other groups; and some groups received training. This method was successful in negotiating agreements across a broad range of perspectives. (GDC)