Before an item bank is constructed, several curriculum and testing considerations should be addressed. Such issues include the number of students enrolled in the selected subject area; number of desired objectives and items per objective; method of storing the items; and how and when to train how many teachers in item writing. The following steps are then used for construction and quality control of the item bank: (1) training teachers in writing test items and item specifications--this usually involves two days of orientation followed by a month of item writing; (2) review and revision by a panel of qualified persons; (3) assembly and field testing of experimental tests, including attention to format and printing; (4) item analyses, using both Rasch and traditional procedures, followed by the removal of inappropriate items; and (5) item bank maintenance using a readily accessible computer system. These procedures are used in the Dade County, Florida Public Schools for item banks in the following curriculum subjects: geometry, algebra I, life science, biology, and American history. (Appendices include a test item evaluation check list, sample item specifications, an answer sheet, and item statistics). (GDC)