The National Institute of Education's (NIE) process of studying minimum competency testing (MCT) includes: (1) a clarification hearing to provide a public forum to discuss divergent views on salient issues related to MCT programs; (2) two investigative teams to explore the different perspectives on the issues, build comprehensive cases which reflect those perspectives, and develop challenges to the case proposed by the other team; (3) an opportunity for opposing sides to present their views, thus providing differing perspectives on complex issues; (4) a responsibility of decision-making for those persons involved in making judgments at the state and local level; (5) video tapes of the proceedings and distribution to legislators, state and local policy-makers and administrators, professional associations, special interest groups, teachers, and lay public advisory groups. (RL)