Every classroom already has an assessment culture—tests, quizzes, projects, checkpoints—but not all assessments capture the full picture of student learning. Before diving into design, it’s important to pause and ask: What does assessment look like in your classroom or school today? What kinds of learning does it highlight, and what might it be missing?

In this Zone, you’ll reflect on your current assessment practices, explore what makes a performance assessment distinct, and consider the mindsets that support this work—shifting toward assessment that is more authentic, equitable, and connected to real demonstrations of competency.