Frank, one technique that has worked well for me over the years is to make sure to discuss assessments with students on the first day of class. I get them to discuss the purpose of assessments and ask them to discuss alternative methods of measurement and adjustment as part of the curriculum. In the end it is my role to guide the instruction but not have students over think the overall process. Ultimately students come to the conclusion that assessments are necessary and even come to look forward to them as a means of knowing what they need to focus on in order to walk away from the class with the knowledge they need to be successful in future courses. James Jackson