It is quite frustrating as a researcher in assessment to witness the policy decisions regarding evaluations and assessments in the Danish educational system. The national tests in Denmark will be used as an illustration. We have here seen politicians issue an order or pass a law regarding an assessment issue that disregards the research based recommendations. This leads to two interrelated questions:

1. How are these political decisions taken? I.e. what is the politicians’ knowledge base, who inform them with which information, how is the final decision negotiated?

2. How can we as researchers (in assessment and evaluation) influence the educational political decisions in a more research based direction? And equally important: What research agenda within assessment is most important to pursue?