Authentic Mathematics Assessment

There is a growing consensus among many educators that the fundamental goals of teaching and learning mathematics are to help students solve problems of everyday life, to help them participate intelligently in civic affairs, and to prepare them for jobs, vocations, or professions. These goals suggest that school mathematics should diminish the role of routine computation and focus instead on the conceptual insights and analytical skills that are at the heart of mathematics. New tests are needed to track progress in these areas.