Two reports on the current status and future trends of state assessment programs are presented. Among the results summarized for 1977-1978 and also presented in chart form for the 41 states which administer testing programs are: 19 programs are mandated by state legislatures; 22 programs test all students in the grades or ages assessed; mathematics and reading are the subjects most frequently tested; 30 programs use objectives prepared on the state or local level; 29 programs use tests prepared by external contractors; data are reported to the legislature in 33 programs; and data influence resource allocations in 5 programs. Among future trends, considerations include: using assessment data to determine minimum competency; sampling student competency; adding some areas and grades; deleting grades; and assessing educable mentally retarded and other populations. Findings are also detailed and charted for 1978-1979 and point toward an increase in criterion-referenced testing; the additions of writing, science, social studies, and the humanities to testing programs; and greater educational accountability to state legislatures and state boards of education. (MH)