This handbook exists to assist the staff of a Springfield, Illinois school district in implementing the district assessment program and to assist other local school units in developing and assessing an implementation program. Chapter 1 presents information on the philosophical and pragmatic background of comprehensive assessment programs, with suggestions regarding the planning of such systems and specific details relating to the use of norm-referenced achievement tests. The second chapter presents information on three basic types of locally designed assessment instruments: criterion-referenced tests, performance scales and check lists, and standardized direct writing samples, with a sample of each provided in the appendices to this chapter. In addition, the chapter describes and recommends a particular test development process. A third chapter discusses the development of item analysis and scoring assessment instruments, with suggestions for hardware and software. The final chapter discusses the use of assessment information obtained for school improvement. It is concluded that the assessment of student learning is most effective when it is integrated with curriculum and instruction, and its greatest impact on school improvement occurs when the assessment is managed by building-level staff. (SLD)