A program is described for the evaluation of the basic skills policy of the State Board of Education in Massachusetts. The 1978 policy of the Board is to take effect in 1980-81 and will require annual assessment of student skills at three grade levels in all schools in five curriculum areas, but leaves the setting of standards to local option. Various groups have expressed strong positions for and against this policy and have raised a variety of questions about possible intended and unintended effects. Questions about the impact of this policy are grouped under four major headings: (1) what is the impact on student basic skills achievement; (2) what other impact on students does the policy have; (3) what is its impact on school practices; and (4) what is the impact on school/community support for the policy? Questions are raised about what data to collect, how to collect it, and what to do with it. Limits on rational evaluation strategies are discussed, but the usefulness of evaluation for decision making stressed. (Author/CTM)