EXHIBIT 24


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

                     SUPPLEMENTAL DEFERRED COMPENSATION 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  National  Computer  Systems,  Inc.
Supplemental  Deferred  Compensation  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/  Moses S. Joseph
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     Russell A. Gullotti                          Moses s. Joseph


                                             /s/  Stephen G. Shank
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     William J. Cadogan                           Stephen G. Shank


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


/s/  Delores M. Etter                        /s/ Jeffrey W. Taylor
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     Delores M. Etter                            Jeffrey W. Taylor


/s/  Jean B. Keffeler
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     Jean B. Keffeler