In February, 1976, the Education Policy Research Institute sponsored this conference on the use of tests in educational policy formation; these six papers were presented at that conference. In the first paper, Jenne K. Britell discusses four points that have historically characterized debates about testing; psychometric and technical issues; issues concerning test use; issues involving the social, economic, and political implications of test use; and moral issues. The second paper, by Joan C. Baratz, focuses on the need to understand cultural pluralism and its significance for the use and interpretation of tests. Samuel Messick's paper discusses tests from an ideological viewpoint in which the appropriate use of a test is considered in terms of its social consequences. The increasing use and misuse of test score data for policymaking decisions at the state level is discussed in the fourth paper, by Jerome T. Murphy. Several innovative methods for establishing educational accountability are described by Senator Jack Gordon, with an emphasis on the need for increased local control in the educational decision-making process. Finally, Samuel Ball discusses the technical considerations involved in the evaluation of public educational programs. A chart listing purposes and methods of program evaluation is included. (JAC)