PTA CoffeeMay 23, 2013

End-of –year AssessmentsMAP and DRA TestingWorkshop for Parents

Terms Achievement Test - A test that measures the extent to which a person has "achieved" something,

acquired certain information, or mastered certain skills - usually as a result of planned instruction or training.

RIT - Rasch Unit, honoring George Rasch, the Danish mathematician who developed the underlying theory for this type of measurement. The RIT Scale is a curriculum scale developed by NWEA that uses the individual item difficulty values to estimate student achievement. Advantages to the RIT Scale are that it can relate the numbers on the scale directly to the difficulty of items on the tests and it is equal interval. Equal interval means that the difference between scores is the same regardless of whether a student is at the top, bottom or middle of the RIT Scale, and it has the same meaning regardless of grade level.

RIT to Reading Range - A score resulting from a correlation between NWEA’s RIT score and the Lexile® scale, a measure defined by MetaMetrics® that helps identify reading material that is at an appropriate difficulty level for an individual student. When a student reads material within his or her RIT to Reading Range, that student should read with 75% comprehension. Lexile is a registered trademark of MetaMetrics, Inc. NWEA is neither affiliated nor associated with MetaMetrics, Inc.

Standardized Test (standard test) - A test designed to provide a systematic sample of individual performance, administered according to prescribed directions, scored in conformance with definite rules, and interpreted in reference to certain normative information. Some would further restrict the usage of the term "standardized" to those tests for which the tests have been chosen on the basis of experimental evaluation, and for which data on reliability and validity are provided. Others would add "commercially published" and/or for "general use".

Northwest Evaluation Association(NWEA)Global organization (Portland, OR)Provide research-based adaptive assessmentsProfessional developmentResearch servicesPurpose: Helps educators make informed

decisions to promote academic growth

What is MAP?Computerized adaptive testsMeasures of Academic ProgressLevel of difficulty is increased with each

correct answerGrades 3, 4 and 5ReadingLanguage UsageMath

Adaptive nature of MAPAdjusts to student’s ability levelCorrect responses lead to more difficult

questionsIncorrect responses are followed by easier

itemsAdvantages: Score available immediately,

potential reduction in test anxiety, test security increased, accurate scores across a wide range of abilities

Why are there score ranges?Note: Scores from any test are estimates of

performance. Multiple data points provide a comprehensive view of actual performance

No less than 3 points of data should ever be used to make important decisions.

If the student were to take the test relatively soon, the score is likely to fall within the same range

Percentile vs. Percent correctPercentile ranking represents how well a

student performs compared to other students in a nationwide norm sample for their age.

Example: 35th percentile does not mean 35 % of the items are correct

35th percentile : The student scored as well as, or better than 35% of students in the same grade norm group.

International School Scores

Grade level

Math Reading Language

3rd 207/203 203/198 206/201

4th 222/212 211/205 212/208

5th 229/220 216/211 218/213

MAP Int’l School Report154, 000 students248 schools94 countriesTerms: 2008, 2009, 2010

Source: NWEAwww.nwea.org503-624-1951

Proficiency ProjectionsNWEA has conducted Alignment Studies in

states where significant numbers of students have taken MAP

By comparing scores of the same students on each test, a correlation can be calculated.

NWEA can establish RIT cut scores for levels of proficiency on state assessment based upon the scores on MAP assessments.

Individual vs. Group ReportsBoth allow us to analyze growth data relative

to growth norms and proficiency benchmarksEvaluate areas of strength, set goals.Reports guide instruction and inform

decision-making across the district and/or nationally

Individual reports help identify areas of strength or growth

Parent/teacher conferencesStudent-led conferences and set goals

Student Experience with the TestApproximately an hour to complete each testAdministered at the beginning and end of the

school year. (Growth index)Different tests are administered at different

times.

How are the data used?Measures students’ progress and growth in

basic skillsReveals strengths and areas for attentionTeachers track progress, areas of strength,

areas where help is neededInforms teachers where adjustments in the

curriculum should be made

What is the Lexile Framework for Reading?Unit of measuring text difficultyIt is linked to the RIT scoreRange is 10L to 1700LEx: Green Eggs and Ham- 30L, Jurassic Park

710L, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 940L, The Good Earth 1530.

Reading the ReportWhat do you notice?What could be some possible factors to the

direction of the growth chart?If this were your child, what questions arise?

Things to ConsiderTime of day the test was administeredAmount of test preparation Compare these results to other assessments;

Does this result reflect the work that comes home?

Review reports considering feedback from teacher conferences

Tip for Parents:Ways to Prepare for TestingCommunicate regularly with the teacher to

discuss progressEstablish a daily study routine in a quiet,

comfortable place at homeProvide books and magazines for your childEstablish a culture of reading at home that

includes your reading with your child

Tips:Ways to Support LanguageEncourage conversation during family

activitiesHave your child explain events after readingHave a “word of the week” and encourage

your child to use new wordsHave your child help plan and write a menuGive a journal or diary as a gift

Tips:Supporting ReadingPlan visits to the library and book store

Play word games; Scrabble, Spill and Spell, etc.

Do word crossword puzzles with your child

Establish a culture and expectation for reading in the home. Involve all family members.

Tips:Supporting MathEncourage children to solve problems on

their ownUse household activities as an opportunity to

practice measurement, grouping and dividingPoint out ways for children to use math in

everyday activities; paying bills, making change, tipping at the restaurant, etc.