Documenting the design and data analysis procedures behind the 1992 Trial State Assessment in reading, this book also provides insight into the rationale behind the technical decisions made about the program. Chapters in the book are: (1) "Overview: The Design, Implementation, and Analysis of the 1992 Trial State Assessment Program in Reading" (John Mazzeo and others); (2) "Developing the Objectives, Cognitive Items, Background Questions, and Assessment Instruments" (Jay R. Campbell and Mary R. Foertsch); (3) "Sample Design and Selection" (Leyla K. Mohadjer and others); (4) "State and School Cooperation and Field Administration" (Nancy Caldwell); (5) "Processing and Scoring Assessment Materials" (Dianne Smrdel and others); (6) "Creation of the Database and Evaluation of the Quality Control of Data Entry" (John J. Ferris and David S. Freund); (7) "Weighting Procedures and Variance Estimation" (Adam Chu and Keith F. Rust); (8) "Theoretical Background and Philosophy of NAEP Scaling Procedures" (Eugene G. Johnson and others); (9) "Data Analysis and Scaling for the 1992 Trial State Assessment in Reading" (Nancy L. Allen and others); and (10) "Conventions Used in Reporting the Results of the 1992 Trial State Assessment in Reading" (John Mazzeo). One hundred nine references, a list of participants in the objectives and item development process; a summary of participation rates; conditioning variables and contrast codings; item response theory parameters for reading items; a description of reporting subgroups; and descriptions of the achievement level setting process and the anchoring process are attached. (RS)