The debate about national assessment in education is in its infancy in New Zealand. It is recognized that the requirements of assessment for national monitoring may conflict with assessment of a formative nature within the schools because of differing requirements for the numbers of students assessed, the type of assessment advisable, and the resources to be devoted to the task. The publication of "Tomorrow's Standards" in July 1990 provided the impetus for a conference on national monitoring that would include the views of the two major political parties. The following conference papers are provided: (1) "Introduction" (C. Croft); (2) "Overview of National Monitoring in Education" (T. Crooks); (3) "Government's Response to Tomorrow's Standards: Policies and Initiatives" (P. Goff); (4) "Symposium on Minister's Proposals" (C. Parker and others); (5) "Perspectives on National Monitoring" (D. Greig); (6) "National Monitoring in a Treaty of Waitangi Framework" (K. Mataira); (7) "The Opposition's Response to Tomorrow's Standards: Policies and Initiatives" (L. Smith); (8) "Symposium on Opposition Spokesperson's Proposals" (S. Hearn and others); (9) "Australian Developments in National Monitoring" (G. Masters); and (10) "Concluding Remarks" (I. D. Livingstone). The names of conference contributors and participants are listed, and the conference agenda is included. (SLD)