Research on effective assignments and assessment shows that students do better when the purpose of the task is explicit and clear. This means being explicit with students about how the knowledge and skills being asked for can help them—in a professional setting, advanced study, or simply in daily life. It also means being clear about how the work will be evaluated, for instance through a rubric or examples of exemplary performance. Transparency of this nature supports success for all students but especially those who have not always been well served by the educational system.