Results of nationwide studies show that standardized achievement test scores of public school children have declined since the mid-1960's, after decades of steady improvement. This seems to be true regardless of grade level, subject tested, or geographic area. Comparing Tacoma's performance with that of the nation and school systems like it as a whole gives a general perspective. Sixty-one school systems nationwide were identified as similar to Tacoma in pupil membership (25,000-50,000). From census data, selected demographic characteristics thought to be related to academic performance (such as median family income, education level, etc.) were listed. In response to a request for test information, 22 of the 52 districts provided useable data. These 22 districts were found to be statistically similar to the other 30 and to Tacoma demographically, and thus constituted the comparison districts in this study. Data provided were not consistent from one district to another, but they did allow comparison of Tacoma with varying numbers of the 22 districts for one to four years, 1970-71 through 1973-74, in reading comprehension and arithmetic computation at Grades 3, 6, and 8. Comparisons of interest were (1) relative score levels, and (2) score trends over time. Specific findings are discussed although they should be interpreted with caution. (Author/DEP)