The challenge facing the speech communication profession is finding appropriate assessment procedures that are acceptable to administrators of state testing programs. The first option is simply to do nothing. A second alternative is standardized assessment. Speech communication professionals prefer a third testing procedure, performance-based evaluation. A fourth option emphasizes the importance of speech communication instruction and provides a viable, if not standardized, assessment method. This method would incorporate assessment of speaking and listening skills as part of a required course in the fundamentals of oral communication. The task for speech communication specialists is simply to continue their efforts to make a "Fundamentals of Oral Communication" course required in all higher education institutions. When students have the opportunity to take one or more courses in speaking and listening, competency in these skills can be assessed as part of the classroom activities. The issue of speech communication assessment is traced for the state of Florida. (Fifteen endnotes are attached.) (MG)