BENCHMARKS is intended as an aid to the proper use of Georgia Statewide Testing Program scores. It provides information about the program and the tests; reading and understanding the various reports; understanding what the scores mean; and applying test results for the improvement of learning opportunities for Georgia children and youth. It is organized into nine sections; each providing answers to these questions: (1) What are the objectives of the Georgia Statewide Testing Program?; (2) Who is tested? What tests are used? What do the tests test?; (3) What scores are reported? What do the scores mean? What are some uses of the scores? What are some limitations of the scores?; (4) What reports are provided for use at various levels? What do the reports look like? How may the reports be read and understood?; (5) How may the test results be assessed and interpreted?; (6) What may be done to improve students' learning?; (7) How may scores be released to the general public?; (8) How may a local inservice program be conducted?; and (9) How may students be prepared for testing? Test scores seen often to be misused or not used at all. Perhaps, this is due either to misunderstanding of testing terminology or to a lack of knowledge of what the scores mean. In this guide special attention has been paid to communicating in a simple, straight-forward manner by using words common to most educators and by making liberal use of samples, examples and illustrations. (Author/BJG)