This handbook is designed as a quick reference for first-year teachers who find themselves in an assessment driven environment with little experience to help make sense of the language, underlying philosophy, or organizational structure of the assessment system. The handbook begins with advice on developing and evaluating effective learning goals/outcomes, provides a range of assessment techniques that include informal, formative and summative approaches, and offers teachers a reference for understanding the current K-12 assessment system from the national to school level structures. Two appendixes present: (1) Construct Validity; and (2) Enhancing Academic Excellence In Social Studies through Authentic Assessment and Portfolio Assessment (B. A. Adeyemi). A bibliography and glossary are also included.