A synthesis of the report, "The Current State of Assessment in Literature," (produced by the Center for the Learning and Teaching of Literature), this digest discusses methods of evaluating students' knowledge of literature. The digest argues that, by and large, the tests that now exist in the United States do not live up to the standards set by examination systems of countries in which student achievement in literature is high. A table of data regarding state assessment of literature achievement in the 1987-1988 school year in the northeast, southeast, central, and west United States is included. (NKA)