At the heart of the recent drive for excellence and school reform is a call for stronger educational standards. The most ignored fact in the recent reports on excellence is that Black students are better prepared for this period of reform than ever before: Black students' test scores are improving nationwide; the gap between Black and White students' test scores is closing dramatically, though not at the expense of White students; and participation of Black students in demanding academic courses has increased significantly. Many organizations representing minorities have concerns about testing, assuming that if Black students perform less well, the test must be biased. First, test publishers must make sure that the test is indeed not biased; and if it is not, it should be used to focus public attention on unequal educational opportunities. Several recent trends should be considered warning signals: increasing high school dropout rates among Black students, declining enrollment of Black students in higher education, and the continuing gap between Black and White students' test scores. Vigilance is needed to ensure that the drive for excellence will protect and enhance the hard-won gains in equality of the last 30 years. (BW)