The document discusses student assessment and its purposes. It defines assessment as determining students' knowledge in educational areas of interest. Assessments gauge student learning and academic strengths/weaknesses. They are used to increase student and teacher performance, hold schools accountable, and determine school funding. The document also outlines the history of standardized testing in the US and Florida's transition to its new progress monitoring system called F.A.S.T. which reduces testing time and better informs teachers of student progress. Assessments are important to monitor learning at the student, teacher, school, district and state level.