"Educational assessments are powerful levers that can effect change," said Dr. Margaret Honey, special advisor to the Partnership and vice president of the Education Development Center (EDC). "Most educational assessments in widespread use today have thus far only measured a student's knowledge of discrete facts, rather than a student's ability to apply knowledge in a real world environment. The assessment of 21st century skills will help foster the application of higher-order thinking skills and provide critical feedback to inform instruction and student learning."