The Connecticut Statewide Basic Skills Proficiency Test is required for all ninth-grade students in Connecticut public schools, vocational-technical schools, and endowed or incorporated high schools and academies. The examination covers basic reading, language arts and mathematics skills. Students who score below the level of expected performance must be retested annually in the nonproficient area(s) until they score at or above the statewide standard. This report describes the testing program and includes sections on: (1) test design; (2) test development procedures; (3) test administration and scoring; and (4) the October 1982 proficiency test results. The average scores of ninth grade students for 1982-83 improved in all areas over the previous year. Mathematics scores, which have been consistently lower than the other skill areas tested, showed the most dramatic improvement over a 2-year period. Summaries for the 1982-83 test results are contained in the appendix. (ML)