The book argues that a singular focus on test scores is misleading, instead promoting a balanced approach that includes student growth, social-emotional learning, and community engagement. By tracing the evolution of assessment practices and acknowledging the influence of socioeconomic factors, the book provides educators, policymakers, and researchers with a framework for improving educational systems. School Performance Metrics progresses from introducing core concepts and delving into standardized testing to analyzing international frameworks and exploring alternative assessment methods, culminating in a proposed comprehensive evaluation framework.