EXHIBIT 24


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

                            OSWALD 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 Oswald 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 3rd day of March, 1998.


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

/s/ David C. Cox                            /s/ John E. Steuri
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    David C. Cox                                John E. Steuri

/s/ Jean B. Keffeler                        /s/ John W. Vessey
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    Jean B. Keffeler                            John W. Vessey

/s/ Moses S. Joseph                         /s/ Jeffrey W. Taylor
 ----------------------                     ----------------------
    Moses S. Joseph                             Jeffrey W. Taylor

/s/ Charles W. Oswald
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    Charles W. Oswald