This document outlines a protocol for unpacking standards into learning targets to improve common assessments. It explains how to analyze standards by underlining verbs, highlighting nouns, circling contexts, and identifying the type of learning target. Teachers will learn how to determine the depth of knowledge ceiling for each target and match assessment item types to target rigor. Sample essential outcomes are unpacked using the protocol steps. Guidelines are provided for constructing response questions that clearly communicate expectations and assessments are written for a sample standard.