Task 4 of an investigation coordinated by a committee working under the auspices of the National Council for Social Studies describes the model used by the National Assessment for data gathering and reporting on the citizenship area and discusses its potential uses for state and local assessment, curriculum development, and accountability purposes. The seven basic components of the assessment model include objectives development, exercise development, sampling plan, administration of exercises, scoring and analysis, reporting and dissemination, and utilization of information. Maine, Connecticut, Texas, and Colorado have adopted the national model for use in state assessments of learning outcomes. To date three school districts--Lincoln, Nebraska, San Bernardino, California, and Montgomery County, Maryland--are using an adaptation of the model at the district level. Thirteen characteristics for a good assessment program are suggested for developing an adaptation model. The reports on both science and citizenship have resulted in strong recommendations for curriculum changes. As data are gathered at the state level through the use of the model and its adaptations, specific suggestions for changes may be made. Based on the national model, adaptations are proposed which provide a basis for both teacher and program accountability. (DE) Primary type of information provided by report: Results (Interpretation).