What is meant by "accountability" varies a great deal. It is not, however, the tools such as merit salary plans, voucher plans, and management techniques that are used to achieve accountability. Accountability has from its earliest days been tied to testing. In discussing testing, it is necessary to discuss the pros and cons of standardized, or norm-referenced, tests and of criterion-referenced tests; to consider the numerous against testing in general; and to examine the suggestions for alternatives to the usual methods of assessing student achievement. An administrator faced with the decision of what methods of evaluation to use for accountability will find that there are no easy answers. Most authorities on testing seem to agree that traditional standardized testing is not adequate. Yet there is still a great deal of disagreement about which other methods can do the job best. It seems clear that, for the time being at least, all the best methods of assessment and evaluation are going to involve a great deal of time and money. The method of evaluation chosen depends on one's definition of accountability, which in turn depends on one's idea of what good education is. (Author/IRT)