The data collection process is described for a new facet of the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP)--the state-level assessment of eighth-grade mathematics in 1990 and 1992 to determine the feasibility and validity of state assessments. For this Trial State Assessment, the NAEP will work with a State Coordinator from each of the 41 participating states to train approximately 4,000 Local Administrators (LAs), each of whom will administer one test session. In this assessment, 50% of the administrations--2,000 sessions--will be observed. The coordinator will: (1) secure the cooperation of the schools involved; (2) ensure that participating schools receive materials; (3) develop a schedule of assessment sessions; (4) obtain a list of eighth graders from each school; (5) submit the list to the NAEP for sample selection; (6) send lists of sampled students to schools; (7) coordinate training of LAs; and (8) be available to answer questions. The LA has responsibility for preparing, conducting, and completing the assessment. Training for LAs will be held in late January 1990 in 1-day sessions. Four training tools will assure that goals of standardization and participation are met--a trainer's guide, a LA's manual, a video presentation for LAs, and practice exercises. Results of a field test of materials and data collection procedures will be available in April 1989. (SLD)