This paper reviews the salient characteristics of the current inventory of large-scale achievement tests, analyzes two recent proposals for creating a national testing program, and describes a new approach to statewide and nationwide testing that RAND is examining. Section 2 discusses the criteria typically used for evaluating large-scale testing programs, and section 3 considers current tests in light of the evaluation criteria. Section 4 describes the two methods proposed for obtaining valid measures of individual student achievement that can be used to monitor student progress relative to national standards: (1) linking existing state and local tests to the National Assessment of Educational Progress; and (2) the Voluntary National Test proposed by President Clinton. Section 5 presents a new and promising method, one based on using computerized adaptive tests delivered over the Internet. Section 6 summarizes the advantages of the proposed approach and notes issues that need to be resolved regarding its implementation. (Contains 55 references.) (Author/SLD)