Be the first to get the book that’s changing how we think about testing students!
Assessment wasn’t meant to be a stress test.
Somewhere along the way, it stopped being about learning and started being about labels and pressure. It’s time to change that.
Dr. Mary E. Cochron’s forthcoming book, Compassionate Assessment: Rebuilding Trust and Purpose in How We Measure Learning recenters assessment on what matters most: clear purpose, real growth, and human connection.
Written to give school and district leaders a powerful, practical roadmap for making assessment both humane and effective, Dr. Cochron’s book draws on real-world experience from the classroom to state departments of education—equipping leaders to transform assessment from a compliance checkbox into a meaningful tool for supporting student growth.
What You Will Learn
Why Testing Feels Broken
Understand how we got here and how to shift from test obsession to real learning, without losing the data that matters.
The Framework
Discover how the four-part Compassionate Assessment Framework helps teachers and students thrive—by using the data you already have in smarter, more meaningful ways, and by exploring new approaches that make sense for real classrooms.
How to Shift the System
Learn clear, practical strategies that turn big assessment ideas into real change—so you can lead your school or district with clarity, purpose, and confidence.
This book is for:
➡️ School and district administrators facing pressure to raise test scores
➡️ Coaches and teacher leaders who want assessment to support—not sabotage—learning
➡️ Education consultants seeking a clear, research-based framework to guide system change
➡️ Any educator ready to lead with compassion, not compliance
This book brings the framework to life with real stories, clear explanations, and practical tools you can use immediately.
No payment required.
We’ll notify you when the book is available and share exclusive resources in the meantime.
Be the First to Know
Reserve your spot for early access to The Compassionate Assessment Framework book—and get more than just a heads-up when it launches.
When you sign up, you’ll also get:
Our weekly Metrics & Meaning Newsletter—timely insights, helpful tips, and just the right amount of snark about what’s really going on in K–12 assessment.
Priority invites to free webinars on topics like play-based assessment, leading results reviews, and decoding test design.
Sneak peeks at upcoming chapters and behind-the-scenes development of the book.
Opportunities to share your voice—whether you're a teacher, school or district leader, you’ll help shape future topics, resources, and offerings.
TESTIMONIALS
What others are saying
"Wow!"
"I've never heard anyone talk about assessment the way Dr. Cochron does—it just makes sense."
- District Assessment Director
"Clear, practical, and refreshingly human"
"Dr. Cochron turns assessment into something that empowers educators and the students they teach."
- State Dept of Education Program Specialist
"She’s not just an expert..."
"she’s a partner who actually listens and helps you, and your staff, move forward from wherever we are."
- High School Principal
