Several of the major considerations involved in implementing a statewide testing program are discussed. The test results provide information which influences the educational enterprise in matters of curriculum, instruction, guidance, and accountability. Tests to be used in an assessment program must be developed by the administering agency when commerially published tests are inappropriate. North Carolina administers the same test battery statewide. This requires uniformity in basic aspects of the curriculum. The problems inherent in test selection for the program are discussed, as well as the challenges of testing special populations. Testing modifications are made for blind and deaf students, as well as those students with other handicapping conditions. States face the challenge of creating a positive interface between students and teachers to correlate instruction with testing. (DWH)