Common Core State Standards are raising expectations nationwide about what teachers impart to their students and the depth of knowledge those students attain. The goal is for students to receive instruction that enables them to synthesize and creatively use what they have learned, thus equipping them for post-secondary school challenges. Quality curriculum and teaching are essential elements in this equation. Meaningful assessment is another critical component. Well-designed and implemented assessments don’t just verify success — they help achieve it. Common Core-aligned assessments are anticipated to go deeper than before, from tests that predominantly rely on short-answer “bubble” items to performance tasks that measure higher-order thinking. Beyond that, the best assessments are a feedback tool for teachers, supplying information needed for modifying instruction to more closely