1、Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS Web97-774 EPWUpdated June 16, 1998National Tests: Administration InitiativeWayne RiddleSpecialist in Education FinanceEducation and Public Welfare DivisionSummaryThe Clinton Administration is encour
2、aging states and local educational agencies(LEAs) to administer new national tests to 4th grade pupils in reading and 8th gradepupils in mathematics each year beginning in 2000. Participation in the tests would bevoluntary and would not affect a state or LEAs eligibility for federal aid programs.The
3、se tests would be based on existing assessments that were developed with federalfinancial support. The federal government would oversee development of the tests,paying the costs for this as well as technical assistance, and the initial round of testadministration, using funds under the Fund for the
4、Improvement of Education (FIE). According to the Administration, the testing program is authorized under currentstatutes, and results from these tests are necessary to inform pupils and their parentsabout their achievement in comparison to national and international norms. Opponentsof the national t