The National Education Association's Task Force on Testing has stated its opinion that standardized tests are overused. The task force suggests that the application of sampling techniques and a variety of alternatives to current testing practices would accomplish the same purposes. Representatives of the testing industry have indicated that the sampling of student populations could be equally effective as the blanket testing of every student. Sampling procedures would also assure the rights to privacy, and conserve time, effort, and cost. Methods for determining whether or not sampling should be used are presented, along with a brief discussion of item sampling. (Author/MV)