COVID-19 gave the country a crash course in public health data. It underscored the value of data that can support well-informed, timely action in a crisis. Good data are just as important for education systems in crisis. Schools and districts have been struggling to reach and educate students safely. Students who were disproportionately underserved before the pandemic--including low-income students, students of color, English learners, and students with disabilities--are experiencing more severe educational setbacks now. The education crisis is unlikely to end anytime soon. This article presents a short history of accountability, followed by a new vision of accountability and assessment, along with information on the role of state boards in reshaping assessment and accountability.