Grades and rankings are important in themselves. Goals are important, but the process of getting to the goal is at least as significant. Assessments are used for diagnostic and prescriptive purposes. Life, including schooling, is only worthwhile if you reach your goals. The process has little or no intrinsic merit, and must be abbreviated whenever possible so the goals can be reached sooner.
Life is a journey, and has intrinsic merit if lived with a zest for life, love and learning.
The system and its processes don't matter, as long as the ends are achieved. The integrity and health of the system, its processes, and its people must be maintained, or the system will be suboptimized and will eventually fail. Work is a task, not intended to bring joy and pride to the worker. Work should be challenging, invigorating, and meaningful. Workers should take pride and joy in the products and processes of their work.