This report from EdTrust and the Collaborative for Student Success explores the role of statewide summative assessments in advancing educational equity, particularly for students from historically underserved backgrounds. While these assessments are vital for allocating resources and informing school decisions, public perceptions often characterize them as punitive. A disconnect persists between how school leaders use assessment data and what families understand about its purpose. To address this, the authors conducted interviews with district leaders in five states, identifying concrete examples of how assessment data informs staffing, curriculum, and student support decisions. These examples were tested in a national poll, revealing that parents—across demographics and ideologies—support using test data to direct resources where they’re most needed. Moreover, the authors assert that involving families in understanding how data is used improves their perception of testing. The report concludes that transparent, equity-focused communication and engagement can strengthen support for assessments and their role in student success.