We are moving towards a new paradigm of assessment. This is a time when difficult decisions need to be made about who will write the tests, what content areas and types of questions will be included, how will they be scored and reported. Many groups have a vested interest in the outcome of the current debate. The call for more rigorous standards has to be carefully balanced with the need to prepare learners for a global economy. The goal of all students meeting a specified level of proficiency in core areas needs to be matched with the advancement of 21st century skills. There are opportunities for leaders at all levels of education to find the balancing point in these diverse views and give them all the consideration they deserve. It’s essential to remove the rhetoric, pay attention to the voices of reason, and work collaboratively to focus on educational improvement.