The political issues and activities involved in the reporting of results of the 1969-70 Michigan Educational Assessment Program are discussed. The background and purposes of the program, the events and forces that shaped the manner in which assessment results were reported, and several political issues regarding the design of the 1970-71 educational assessment program are discussed. The authors were involved in administering the program and they present an overview of the political implications involved in state-level educational policy-making. Insights into the problems connected with state assessment programs from the standpoint of the local school district, the state legislature, the state executive branch, as well as interested citizens are provided. Finally, the stages involved that brought about a modification of reporting policy by the Michigan Department of Education are presented. (AE)