EXHIBIT 24

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

                         1999 EMPLOYEE STOCK OPTION PLAN

                  The  undersigned  directors and officers of NATIONAL  COMPUTER
SYSTEMS,  INC.  hereby  constitute and appoint J. W. Fenton,  Jr. their true and
lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, for each of them and in their name, place and
stead,  in any and all capacities  (including  without  limitation,  as Director
and/or Principal  Executive  Officer,  Principal  Financial  Officer,  Principal
Accounting Officer or any other officer of the Company),  to sign a registration
statement,  and  any  and  all  amendments  thereto,   including  post-effective
amendments,  on Form S-8  relating to the  issuance of Common  Stock of National
Computer Systems, Inc. pursuant to National Computer Systems, Inc. 1999 Employee
Stock  Option  Plan,  which is to be  filed  with the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission,  with all exhibits thereto,  and any and all documents in connection
therewith,  hereby granting unto said  attorney-in-fact and agent full power and
authority to do and perform any and all acts and things  requisite and necessary
to be done, and hereby  ratifying and confirming all that said  attorney-in-fact
and agent may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the undersigned  have hereunto set their
hands this 2nd day of March, 1999.


/s/  Russell A. Gullotti                         /s/  Stephen G. Shank
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     Russell A. Gullotti                              Stephen G. Shank

/s/  William J. Cadogan                          /s/  John E Steuri
- ----------------------------                     ---------------------------
     William J. Cadogan                               John E. Steuri

/s/  David C. Cox                                /s/  Jeffrey W. Taylor
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     David C. Cox                                     Jeffrey W. Taylor

/s/  Delores M. Etter
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     Delores M. Etter                  Signed on this 7th day of March, 2000

/s/  Jean B. Keffeler                            /s/  John J. Rando
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     Jean B. Keffeler                                 John J. Rando