Representatives from Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas discuss the issues surrounding teacher and student competency and accountability. For each state, they review legislative policies and actions and the programs of the state education department regarding the use of competency and accountability standards. The report also includes the presentations of three national advisors on the role of assessment and its affect on curriculum, the time constraints involved in establishing and implementing minimal standards, and the legal issues surrounding the use of such tests. The report concludes with brief summaries of discussions on educational malpractice, the use of norm-referenced tests, and the impact of financial resources on school outcomes. Two appendices provide lists of relevant reference materials and of the names of participants. (JEH)