In today's world, where misinformation spreads rapidly, it’s crucial to equip educators with the tools to create effective, reliable performance assessments. This interactive session will explore the "what" and "why" of high-quality performance assessments, emphasizing the importance of authentic assessments that foster critical thinking. Participants will engage in a newsroom activity to examine the impact of misinformation on society by sharing current headlines circulating in our ecosystem and practice critical thinking to evaluate the legitimacy of information sources. Participants will leave with actionable strategies to enhance their assessments, ensuring they not only measure student understanding but also prepare learners to navigate a complex information landscape effectively.