Resolving that question is central to the success of national testing.

Critics charge that effective national testing would be virtually impossible, given the country's regional differences.

The President also wants national testing for students, but the bill bars any steps toward that.

But his core constituency doesn't believe in national testing, either.

Opposition to the President's program for voluntary national testing has been growing on both sides of the political spectrum.

Republicans also blocked the President's proposal for the national testing of students.

Several people involved in the conference said, though, that the bill would take cautious but certain steps toward national testing of newborns.

Opposition to national testing is especially strong in the House, and today's agreement angered some representatives.

But proponents of expanded national testing say the tests will have little effect on local schools.

It may not be possible to do national testing in America under government sponsorship.