This paper presents six chapters that describe how statewide reading assessment is currently being performed and how the data are being used. The validity of statewide reading assessment instruments and the appropriate uses of statewide reading assessment data are explored. Several chapters discuss new ways in which some states conduct reading assessment, while others suggest alternative and complementary forms of reading assessment. The range of issues is intended to help in the assessment of relative strengths and weaknesses of current statewide reading practice and consider future directions in reading assessment. The following six chapters are provided: (1) "The Call for Assessment of Reading at the Statewide Level" (Peter Afflerbach); (2) "Developing a Statewide Reading Assessment Program" (Linda Hansche); (3) "Issues in Early Childhood Assessment" (William H. Teale); (4) "The Role of Teacher-Based Information in Statewide Assessments of Literacy Learning" (Elfrieda H. Hiebert); (5) "National Survey of the Use of Test Data for Educational Decision Making" (Sheila W. Valencia); and (6) "Statewide Reading Assessment: A Survey of the States" (Peter Afflerbach). Charts for each of the 50 states are included. (SLD)