The oral proficiency scale of the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Language (ACTFL) and the Educational Testing Service is reviewed as an instrument for measuring the levels of language proficiency for college undergraduates and high school students. The scale is a modification of the U.S. Government's Foreign Service Institute Scale, and its suitability for use in the schools has not been established. It is not clear to what extent the scale's progression reflects cognitive growth. However, the scale has been endorsed as part of the movement toward oral proficiency testing in the schools, a movement encouraged by the "Guidelines" of the ACTFL. It is contended here that it would be premature to discard the proficiency test altogether, but further research into its applicability for school settings is necessary. The positive effects that the proficiency movement has had on teaching cannot be ignored, but there is no necessary link between: (1) use of the oral proficiency test and a focus on communicative language teaching; and (2) meaningful language use. A 41-item list of references is included. (SLD)