Purpose
When determining what test to use, potential users of assessments must consider the purposes of the assessment (Haertel 1999; Messick 1994; Kane 2012). In general, there are four broad purposes for which assessments might be used: (1) monitoring system performance, (2) holding schools or individuals accountable for student learning, (3) setting priorities by signaling to teachers and parents which competencies are valued, and (4) supporting instructional improvement (Schwartz et al. 2011). Though we consider all four of these potential uses in the remainder of the report, we largely focus on the fourth one—providing information that can be used to improve instruction. Such information might relate to 21st century cognitive, interpersonal, or intrapersonal competencies.