Extracts from the papers and position statements presented at the National Conference on Achievement Testing and Basic Skills are provided in an attempt to capture both the diversity and the consensus among the participants. Six sessions are summarized: (1) achievement tests and basic skills: the issues and the setting--by Harold Howe II; (2) achievement testing: an overview of the issues--with speakers Lauren B. Resnick, Vito Perrone, William W. Turnbull, Bernard C. Watson, Maria Ramirez, and Diane S. Ravitch; (3) achievement testing: the interests--with comments by Richard Celeste, Albert Shanker, John Ryor, Ann Kahn, John W. Porter, Frederick H. Schultz, and Ramon C. Cortines; (4) basic skills and testing: the congressional perspective--with Claiborne Pell, S. I. Hayakawa, and Michael Harrington; (5) achievement testing and basic skills: the federal response--with speakers Joseph A. Califano, Jr., Patricia Albjerg Graham, John Brademas, and Mary F. Berry; and (6) sense of the conference: conclusions and recommendations--by Martin Kaplan. (GDC)