Asserts that two forgotten facts in educational reform are that the student is the primary client of all assessment and that testing should be designed to improve performance, not just monitor it. Includes sample portfolio performance tasks on a variety of social studies topics. (CFR)

Asserts that the purpose of New York State's testing program has been to drive instruction, provide a measure of public accountability, and establish and maintain achievement standards. Describes new approaches to student assessment and explains the eight goals of the new statewide assessment program. (CFR)