The role and influence of mandated testing in educational reform are reviewed. Mandated testing refers to large-scale (districtwide or statewide) multiple-choice testing programs used for policy purposes of evaluation and accountability, which includes nationally normed standardized achievement tests and tests custom-developed to reflect state and district educational objectives. Part 1 of this document provides a historical context dating back to the mid-1970s, describing the growth of mandated testing and its roles. Part 2 discusses current critiques of mandated testing and disillusionment with the top-down model. The detrimental effects of mandated testing on curriculum and teaching are reviewed, with the suggestion that criticism goes beyond evidence for too much testing and central control. Part 3 describes the growing support for comprehensive curriculum reform and for more coherent approaches to education reform in general. It is argued that testing and restructuring should be driven by a single, curriculum-based set of goals. Four tables provide detailed information, and two appendices give supplemental information. (SLD)