Results are presented of the Connecticut Statewide Basic Skills Proficiency Test, which was administered to Connecticut ninth graders for the fourth time in 1983. The history of the test is summarized; it was designed to identify students who are performing so far below grade level that they require remedial instruction to succeed in the ninth grade. The legislative mandate for the test is the Education Evaluation and Remedial Assistance Act. The subtests are described: mathematics, basic writing skills, language arts, and reading ability. Tables are included of the resulting scores, and sample writing responses are also appended. Highlights of the findings include the following: (1) average scores increased over the previous years in all areas; (2) the percentage of students who satisfied state standards increased in all areas; (3) there was greatest improvement in mathematics mastery, yet the greatest need was still in mathematics; and (4) language arts showed the most improvement in percentage of items correct. (GDC)