Many states are answering the call for public reports on educational progress by developing indicator systems that are designed to show trends within and relationships among school data. A table shows 13 states and the number of indicator components used. Offers advice to school boards considering indicator systems. (MLF)

The acting director of the National Center for Education Statistics, which oversees the National Assessment of Educational Progress, views state-by-state test scores as an opportunity for state officials to compare their states to states with similar characteristics. (MLF)

Contends that state-by-state comparisons of National Assessment of Educational Progress test scores will lead to simplistic conclusions and an increase in teaching-to-the-test curriculums. (MLF)

Four publishers responding to the previous discussion agreed that American elementary achievement has improved, but evidence presented by the Secretary of Education confirms that few real improvements have occurred since "Nation at Risk." Commercial achievement tests provide falsely high scores (the Lake Wobegon Effect). (SLD)