Revisiting the Why: The Purpose of Assessment
The purpose of assessment has always been to answer one central question: How are students progressing toward learning goals? But over time, assessments have taken on additional layers—state-mandated requirements, district accountability metrics, and even public perception. This shift has changed how test results are used and interpreted, often introducing conflicting definitions of “learning goals.” For school leaders, it’s easy to lose sight of the foundational "why" amidst these competing demands and definitions. However, at its best, assessment serves three essential functions:
Empowering Educators with Actionable Data:
Assessments should go beyond numbers to provide insights that teachers can use to refine their instruction. By focusing on growth-oriented data, educators are equipped with the tools they need to address student needs in real-time and build confidence in their teaching strategies. This data also empowers educators outside of classrooms to make decisions to support student learning that span grade levels, subject areas, or even schools.
Fostering Collaboration Among Stakeholders:
Effective assessment practices are not just about individual classrooms—they’re about providing tools that can support a culture of shared responsibility. Data becomes more meaningful when teachers, administrators, and families work together to interpret results and identify solutions that benefit students collectively. Or better yet, are able to come together to celebrate with the students who demonstrate growth, because let’s not forget the most important stakeholder here, the students!
Inspiring Student Growth Through Feedback:
Assessment should motivate students by highlighting their progress toward the target. Approaches that help students derive personal meaning from assessment results—whether from tests or other forms of evaluation—foster a sense of ownership in their learning. When assessment practices are people-focused, they celebrate individual achievements and encourage students to take ownership of their learning journey.
When these purposes are prioritized, assessments become less about compliance and more about empowering students and educators. With these functions in mind, let’s examine the challenges that often arise when assessment practices lose focus.
The Misalignment Problem: When the Why Gets Lost
One challenge many schools face is misalignment between the purpose of assessment and how it is perceived or implemented. For example:
Test prep over learning: Schools may focus on "teaching to the test," which completely undermines deeper learning and student engagement. Although test prep strategies are often marketed as reducing student anxiety, they frequently have the opposite effect.
Proficiency vs. growth: State and district metrics often prioritize proficiency, but this fails to capture the progress students make over time—especially for those starting below grade level. This prioritization also encourages deficit decision making and tracking of students.
Overemphasis on accountability: While accountability is important, when it overshadows other purposes, assessments can feel punitive rather than constructive. Weaponization of assessment needs to be corrected because this approach ultimately harms students.
Parents and families often express frustration with large-scale assessments for similar reasons: they see the tests as disconnected from their child’s individual needs. School leaders should take note of this perspective – If parents and teachers view assessments as disconnected from student growth, we risk eroding trust in the entire process.
Aligning Assessment Practices with Student-Centered Outcomes
To bring assessments back to their intended purpose, administrators can take the following steps:
Communicate the Value of Assessments:
Both teachers and parents need to understand why assessments matter. Frame assessments as opportunities for feedback and growth, not as final judgments of success or failure – and stick to the appropriate uses of the results. Use clear, accessible language when sharing data with stakeholders. Highlight not just the "what" but the "why" behind results.
Deepen Understanding of Assessment as a Process:
Using a mix of formative, interim, and summative assessments provides a comprehensive view of student progress. However, that relies upon full understanding of the power and limitations of each of these kinds of tools. Facilitate professional development to deepen educators’ understanding of assessment tools: how they’re designed, what they measure, and the strengths and limitations of their results.Prioritize Growth Metrics:
Move beyond proficiency-based metrics to include growth-based measures that reflect how far students have come. Tools like Student Growth Percentiles (SGPs) or progress monitoring assessments can provide a clearer picture of student learning over time. Instead of focusing solely on the percentage of students scoring "proficient," include metrics that show improvement in reading levels across a year.
Looking Ahead: Building a Culture of Trust and Growth
Revisiting the purpose of assessment is not just about refining processes—it’s about reshaping how we view success. For school leaders and teachers, this means fostering a culture where assessments are tools for growth, not stress; where data informs collaboration, not compliance; and where every student’s progress is valued.
This year, I am committed to helping educators transform assessments into tools that empower growth, foster collaboration, and prioritize meaningful learning. This is an invitation to join me in making these changes together. By focusing on people—not just data—we can foster a culture where assessments inspire progress, build trust, and support every student’s success. Let’s take this journey toward a more compassionate and collaborative approach to assessment, one step at a time.
