Use the standards to consider in an organized way the impact of assessment on all areas of school mathematics. When trying new assessment procedures, start small, revise, and try again. As you study this document, reflect on your personal experiences and practice, identify the goals you would like to reach, and become aware of the obstacles you may encounter. Don't become so concerned by the complexity of the suggested reforms that you are unable to begin the process. As you try new procedures, remember to start small, reflect on your progress, and then continue your efforts.
Educational reform is a recursive process.
That is, the process begins with manageable steps, the results of which feed into the next round of reform. The many shifts in practice suggested are summarized at the end of this section. To make optimal use of this document is to establish it among your personal guidelines for educational reform. Assessment is a shared responsibility. We contend that the assessment process, in all its phases, is a shared responsibility.