The Assessment is for Learning Programme in Scotland promotes practical use in schools of a system of assessment which creates synergy among Assessment for Learning (formative), Assessment as Learning (developing pupils' own abilities to reflect on learning, their "learning to learn") and Assessment of Learning (summative, at both school and system levels). Effective use of assessment evidence within recurring processes of well planned and responsive teaching and learning is a key aim. The approach gives equal significance to relevant research, well informed policy making and the professional engagement of classroom teachers in decisions about learning and assessment and in spreading good practice among colleagues. Several kinds of support for teachers are being developed, including local staff development and networking about formative assessment and "sharing the standard" meetings to improve comparability of summative assessments. The approaches adopted by education authorities to promote the Programme are informed by evaluations and studies which have identified aspects of pilot projects which strongly convinced teachers that formative assessment is very worthwhile. The presentation describes the philosophy of the Programme, its development strategies and the research and evaluation evidence emerging. It also identifies some of the problems to be overcome in promoting such a system.