Despite its widespread use in evaluation data analysis, statistical testing has come under persistent criticism resulting in calls for its rethinking, and even possible elimination (Carver, 1978, 1993). Saxon and Boylan issue a call "to strengthen developmental education research and to make it more accessible" (2003, p. 2). Among the types of research they consider appropriate is control group methodology which often makes use of statistical tests. This paper responds to that suggestion and seeks to explain statistical testing to state what it can and cannot tell us, and to make practical recommendations for its use.