These papers were presented at the symposium "Using Statewide Basic Skills Tests to Make Promotion Decisions: Political and Psychometric Issues." The development of basic skills testing and the legislative mandate that needed to be implemented for minimum competency testing in Louisiana are discussed by Hugh I. Peck. Rebecca S. Christian examines the involvement of local educators in the development of a basic skills testing program. A statewide planning commission assured involvement of all local education agencies. Ellen B. Gillespie considers the implications of the testing program for special education students. Federal legislation assured the provision of educational and related services to handicapped children. Special education students who were not addressing state minimum skills were in an "alternative to regular placement." They were not included in the Basic Skills Testing Program. An individual educational prescription (IEP) was developed for each of these students. Policies are being developed to assure a test which is fair for all students. The development and use of an item bank for the state testing program is described by Craig N. Mills. Ellen Pechman discusses the effects of promotional testing on a large city school system. (DWH)