Professor Diane Shorrocks-Taylor is a member of the School of Education and Director of the Assessment and Evaluation Unit at the University of Leeds, UK.

• List of Tables and Figures. Acknowledgements.Series Preface: Issues in Assessment and Testing.Introduction.1. The Origins of the National Tests.2. Influences on the Structure of the National Tests.3. The Development of the Tasks and Tests: Background and Summary.4. Developing the Tasks and Tests: Some Technical Issues.5. The Tests at Key Stage 1: The Storm and the Calm.6. The Tests at Key Stage 2: High Profile Testing.7. The Tests at Key Stage 3: Controversy and and Change.8. Some Conclusions: Purposes, Ideals and Realities.Glossary of Acronyms.References.Index.