This report is part of an overall regional needs assessment effort undertaken by Research by Better schools and it summarizes test results from state education agencies in the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Performance trends over the past several years were analyzed. Major findings indicate that: (1) reading achievement trends varied somewhat across the region from 1984 to 1987; (2) students at all grade levels throughout the region showed considerable improvement in mathematics from 1984 to 1987; (3) students across the region perform much higher than national norms on standardized tests, with particularly high scores characterizing children at the elementary school level; and (4) there was a high degree of achievement with regard to minimum basic skills in reading and mathematics, with most students meeting minimum standards established by the respective states. In summary, regional achievement trends were positive during the target period, a trend following the 1978-1984 trend. In areas where declines were found, it is possible that these phenomena can be attributed to change in test forms. Although aggregate score trends were very positive, there was much variability within states. (TJH)