This document discusses standards-based assessment and rating systems used by the Department of Education in the Philippines. It defines assessment as activities that provide feedback to improve teaching and learning. Assessment should happen continuously during instruction and evaluate students' levels of understanding. There are three types of assessment: formative for learning, summative of learning, and assessment as learning where students self-reflect. Assessment evaluates students' attainment of content and performance standards, which define what students should know, be able to do, and understand, as well as how to apply their learning. Student work is rated on a scale and placed into levels of proficiency such as beginning, developing, proficient or advanced.