Assessment is an essential component of quality teaching and learning. Timely, high-quality, assessment information enables informed decision-making by teachers, whānau, and school leaders to improve student outcomes and progress. Its ultimate purpose is to empower students to reach their full potential by making learning visible, measurable, and actionable. This year, schools will undertake twice-yearly assessments of reading, writing and maths for Year 3-8 students using one of the three specified tools (SMART, PATs, e-asTTle). SMART is the new Student Monitoring, Assessment and Reporting Tool provided by the Ministry of Education that will be available to schools and kura nationwide in March 2026. SMART has been designed to give teachers clear, curriculum‑aligned information about each learner’s progress in reading, writing, mathematics, pānui, tuhituhi and pāngarau. This workshop will provide information about assessment requirements, SMART, associated guidance, and PLD being rolled out in 2026.