In response to increasing evidence of score declines with no apparent agreement as to meaning or causes, the National Institute of Education (NIE) sponsored a Conference on Declining Test Scores in June of 1975. The objectives of the conference were to (1) clarify the evidence and estimate the extent of test score declines; (2) review evidence for the seriousness and meaningfulness of the problem and assess the value of research in this area; (3) explore areas of agreement and disagreement among experts as to possible causes of the declines; (4) formulate research guidelines for efficient and effective investigation into score trends and possible remedies; and (5) identify NIE's concern for and responsiveness to recent reports of score changes which could have important social implications. There did not appear to be consensus on the reasons for the decline even after the evidence for the various viewpoints had been presented and discussed. But there did appear to be consensus that further research could, at the very least, narrow the options and begin to assess the importance of the reported score changes. (Author/BW)