The North Carolina End of Course (EOC) tests were initiated in response to legislation passed by the North Carolina General Assembly--the North Carolina Elementary and Secondary Reform Act of 1984. This act mandates the implementation of the Basic Education Program through the establishment of a core curriculum for all students for each content area and the development of tests to assess the implementation of each curriculum across the state. The end-of-grade (for grades 3-8) and end-of-course (for high school and middle school) tests are revised with the beginning of each new curriculum cycle, a necessity since they measure the objectives outlined in the North Carolina Standard Course of Study (the curriculum). In 1992-93, the State completed the transition to a new assessment system--with state tests designed by North Carolina teachers, curriculum specialists, testing experts and DPI staff.