Associated Press
Friday, January 23, 1998; Page A04

National reading and math tests sought by President Clinton should be delayed until after his second term, an independent board decided yesterday, denying Clinton a key item on his education agenda.

Congress may still decide whether the tests should go forward at all. But even if Congress allows the tests to proceed, the National Assessment Governing Board determined that the tests should be given no sooner than 2001.

Clinton had proposed in his State of the Union speech a year ago that the voluntary tests of fourth-grade reading and eighth-grade math be given in 1999. Compromise legislation in the fall pushed the earliest possible date back to 2000.

But the 26-member, bipartisan board, which Congress gave authority over test development as part of the compromise, said it would be technically impossible to have a test ready before 2001. It changed the deadline by voting unanimously to modify the $13 million contract for test development the Education Department awarded in August.

Education Secretary Richard W. Riley said he thought the delay was unnecessary. "But we are pleased that we are on track to having the first-ever national tests in basic skills and to giving parents and communities the tools they need to make sure children master the basics," he said.

The decision pleased House Republicans, who had led the battle against the tests, largely on grounds they would lead to a national curriculum.

"We're happy to see any development that further delays any national testing, because we've always seen this national test proposal as a bad idea," said Jay Diskey, spokesman for the House Education and the Workforce Committee.