In the season premiere of Season 4 of Growth Over Grades, Jordan sits down with educational change advocate and thought leader, Laurie Gagnon. As a key designer of the quality performance assessment model, Laurie shares why a fundamental shift in how we approach assessment is more urgent than ever for creating equitable, learner-centered systems. She discusses how building true assessment literacy and activating student agency are essential for moving beyond industrial-era education models.

This episode explores the power of performance-based assessments to make learning relevant and integrate the assessment process back into the act of learning itself. Laurie breaks down how to intentionally design systems that empower students with choice, create a safe culture for failure and growth, and build a body of evidence that truly reflects what a student knows and can do. Laurie also offers practical advice for educators and leaders who feel overwhelmed by systemic change, explaining how to find an entry point and begin the transformation one step at a time.