The fundamental purpose of assessment is student growth. Cedar Rapids Community School District uses a balanced assessment system that includes four levels of assessment:

1. Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP)
2. Benchmarks in reading and math for grades K-12 (beginning, middle, and end of year)
   1. FAST Reading and Math
   2. iReady
   3. NWEA MAP
3. Common formative assessments (per unit)
4. Teacher-created formative assessments (as a regular feature of instruction)