This exploration of educational improvement through student assessment focuses on the Schoolyear 2000 (SY2000) program developed by the Center for Educational Technology at Florida State University in conjunction with the Florida Department of Education Planning Resources Committee. SY2000 consists of 10 functional subsystems that will operate in a complete redesign of the school system. These subsystems include: (1) research and development; (2) mission; (3) curriculum; (4) instruction; (5) student and family services; (6) logistics; (7) management operations; (8) human resource development; (9) assessment and information management; and (10) evaluation. SY2000 follows a design approach called concurrent design that includes people at all levels of the organization and all stakeholders simultaneously in a process of continuous improvement. With this document are attachments that discuss the process of assessment, definitions of terms used in assessment discussions, and the contrast between teacher-based education and a knowledge-based technology system. A comparative data screening instrument list is attached, with a checklist for the use of assessment instruments. (Contains nine figures and seven references.) (SLD)