萝卜AV视频

How Cupertino Union School District is building a more purposeful assessment system.

In California鈥檚 , assessment is embedded in the learning process itself.

Designed with intention, it supports reflection, deepens understanding, and helps students recognize their growth over time.

鈥淲e鈥檙e really grounded in the belief of every child, the whole child, and each child,鈥� said Superintendent Stacy Yao. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the foundation of all the work we do as we move forward with our Portrait of a Learner.鈥�

That foundation took shape in 2019, when Cupertino brought together educators, students, families, and community members to define a shared vision for success. The result was a grounded in seven competencies, with wellness at the center 鈥� a clear articulation of what students need to thrive in school and beyond.

From the outset, district leaders focused on building the systems needed to bring that vision into daily practice.

They鈥檙e not memorizing. They鈥檙e hands-on, developing those durable skills that will empower them to be lifelong learners.

From Vision to Practice

A cross-functional Accelerator Group translated the Portrait into classrooms, developing shared tools, reflection protocols, and aligned approaches to teaching and learning.

Over time, this work surfaced a key opportunity: strengthening the role of assessment within that system.

Cupertino approached assessment as a core lever for coherence 鈥� ensuring that what is measured reflects what the district values.

During the 2024-2025 school year, Cupertino joined the EdLeader21 Network鈥檚 Purposeful Assessment Innovation Group (now part of AASA's EdLeader Promise Network), a national cohort of districts working to align assessment with deeper learning. Together, they examined how assessment can support student agency, reflection, and real-world application.

Teachers piloted a series of Cornerstone Experiences 鈥� authentic, student-engaged tasks that connect academic content with the district鈥檚 Portrait competencies:

• Learning Space Design Challenge: Students reimagined classroom environments to better support learning.
• Change We Can See: Students identified overlooked challenges in their community and developed solutions.
• Catalysts for Change: Students explored how individual actions can create meaningful impact.

Each experience emphasized thinking, application, and reflection. Students engaged in work that connects learning to context and purpose, while developing skills that extend beyond a single assignment.

鈥淭hey鈥檙e not memorizing. They鈥檙e hands-on, developing those durable skills that will empower them to be lifelong learners,鈥� said Yao.

For educators, the work strengthened coherence across classrooms. Shared experiences, common tools, and intentional collaboration created the conditions for deeper focus on student growth.

鈥淥ur journey is long, and we needed a roadmap,鈥� Yao reflected. 鈥淭ime came up again and again, so we built systems that gave us the time to do the work well.鈥�

What is emerging in Cupertino is a more aligned system 鈥� one where vision, instruction, and assessment reinforce one another.

Assessment makes learning visible. Students track progress, reflect on their development, and engage more actively in their learning experience.

Cupertino鈥檚 experience highlights how alignment across systems supports deeper learning and sustained growth.

鈥淓very person in our district is vital 鈥� our teachers, custodians, bus drivers, everyone,鈥� said Yao. 鈥淲e鈥檙e all part of helping our students succeed.鈥�

By designing assessment with purpose, Cupertino Union School District is helping students understand what they are learning, how they are growing, and why that growth matters.

Go Deeper

萝卜AV视频members can download the full case study to explore how Cupertino is building a coherent, systemwide approach to purposeful assessment. EdLeader Promise Network members can also access additional tools, including the Purposeful Assessment Playbook.

Interested in learning more about the EdLeader Promise Network?
Reach out to learn how your district can collaborate alongside Cupertino and other innovative leaders designing and implementing future-ready systems.