M.A.P.Measures of Academic

Progress“One of the most powerful allies of an educator is an informed parent who

understands their child's academic needs and is in a position to reinforce what

happens in the classroom. When educators share M.A.P. assessment data

and resources with parents, the partnership that is created can be very

beneficial for the student.” - NWEA

What are we going to talk about

tonight?•What is MAP?

•Why use MAP instead of other standardized tests?

•Unique features of MAP

•The benefits of MAP

•What does MAP look like for your student?

•RIT scores, MAP, and reports

•OK, MAP.... Now what?

What is M.A.P.?•Unique student assessment in

reading, language, and math.

•Computerized and adaptive that measures academic growth.

•The difficulty of the assessment will adjust based on how the student performs on the questions as they progress through the test.

•It is individualized and unique for each student.

Why use M.A.P. instead of other

standardized tests?•We can administer these tests utilizing less

class time.

•Results are quick, detailed, and accurate about the student’s academic growth over time.

•Develop a partnership between teachers and parents that promotes each student’s learning and positively affects the life of the child.

•MAP is an assessment FOR learning, not OF learning.

M.A.P. FOR learning

Graphic borrowed from http://www.powayusd.com/projects/edtechcentral/MAPS/PowerPoints/MiddleSchoolMaps_files/frame.htm

Features of M.A.P. •Provides a challenging test for every

student.

•It is a continuous test starting in 6 grade through

•Dynamically built based on the achievement level of the student and will give reliable information for each student.

•Data is individualized to show academic progress, yet can also be analyzed with respect to norms set by NWEA.

Features of M.A.P. •The tests are NOT timed. Students

will be given as much time as needed to complete each test.

•The AVERAGE time required to complete each test is 50 minutes.

•Computer displays one question at a time.

•Students will be tested 3 times each year in reading, language, and math.

Features of M.A.P. •The test measures academic growth and

shows how students are progressing.

•The data can be looked at historically from test to test, season to season, and year to year.

•Results are received immediately, with preliminary scores given at the end of each test.

•Following each testing period, parents will receive a report showing your child’s growth.

Benefits of M.A.P.•All students have the opportunity to

succeed because each test is individualized.

•St. Gregory can administer these shorter tests utilizing less class time.

•Parents and teachers will receive quick, detailed, and accurate information about the student’s academic growth.

•This assessment is designed to let teachers know where the student’s strengths are, and where help is needed.

Benefits of M.A.P.•It will inform parents about their

child's academic strengths and needs and helps parents be in a position to reinforce what happens in the classroom.

•MAP will also help the student to know what they can be working on to improve the most.

•A strong partnership can develop between teachers and parents that promotes each student’s learning and positively affects the life of the child.

What does M.A.P. look like?

The first screen the student will see looks like this.

What does M.A.P. look like?

Sample Math Question

•Work the problem on your scratch paper

•Click on the best answer

•Click on the <Go on> button

Sample Math Question

•Work the problem on your scratch paper

•Click on the best answer

•Click on the <Go on> button

What does M.A.P. look like?

Sample Reading Question

•Read the passage and select the best answer

•Click the <Go on> button

Sample Reading Question

•Read the passage and select the best answer

•Click the <Go on> button

How is M.A.P. Scored?•Each student’s progress is reported in

RIT (Rasch unIT) scores and normative data.

•The RIT score is NOT a percentage score, like on other tests.

•This type of score enables teachers and parents to understand where to focus attention for the child’s optimum learning.

•The normative data shows the national average (mean) and middle (median) RIT scores for different grades for a typical school district.

RIT Scores•An equal-interval scale, like feet and

inches, that is independent from grade level.

•A curriculum scale that uses item difficulty values to estimate student achievement. 

•The RIT score can relate the numbers on the scale directly to the difficulty of items on the tests.

•RIT scores range from 100 to 280.

•Scores can be added together to calculate accurate class or school averages.

How are We Growing?Class of 2016

Class of 2016 vs. National Norms

Class of 2016 vs. National Norms

Class of 2016 vs. National Norms

How are We Growing?Class of 2017

Class of 2017 vs. National Norms

Class of 2017 vs. National Norms

Class of 2017 vs. National Norms

Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth

(CTY)•A program that strives to identify, assess, and recognize students with exceptional mathematical and/or verbal reasoning abilities

•CTY seeks out 7th or 8th grade students who have scored in the 95 percentile or above on either the math or reading/language usage sections

•CTY does accept MAP Scores!

•28% of St. Gregory middle school students qualified and were invited to participate in CTY this fall

How do Teachers use MAP results?

• MAP assessments are important to teachers because they help keep track of progress and growth in basic skills aligned with state standards for individuals and groups.

• The results identify students’ strengths and challenges in specific areas.

• Results are used to inform curriculum and instruction in the classroom.

• Several STG teachers will participate this Spring in regional NWEA workshops to improve understanding and application of MAP results for individuals and groups.

NWEA DesCartesDesCartes provides a common framework that teachers, parents, students and administrators can use to move forward. With this resource, it is possible to personalize instruction, select appropriate topics and skills to address, and maintain a strong growth trajectory for every student.

DesCartes can be used for:

- Planning small group instruction, including flexible grouping - Goal setting - Creating centers, homework, or other assignments based on skills needed for each student

- Providing students, parents, and aides with specific skill sets for a student to focus on

- Data taken from www.nwea.org

DesCartes ExampleStudent Scores a RIT range of 171-180 on the

Goal Strand of Estimation and Accurate Computations

How can Parents support learning at home through MAP?

•Help students prepare for test days through sleep, food, and enthusiasm.

•Communicate with teachers

•Reinforce student goals set in advisory

How Parents can Help Students Improve with

Reading

Borrowed from NWEA Parent Tool Kit found at http://www.nwea.org/support/article/930/parent-toolkit

How Parents can Help Students Improve with

Language

Borrowed from NWEA Parent Tool Kit found at http://www.nwea.org/support/article/930/parent-toolkit

How Parents can Help Students Improve with

Math

Borrowed from NWEA Parent Tool Kit found at http://www.nwea.org/support/article/930/parent-toolkit

Websites for Parents and Students

Borrowed from NWEA Parent Tool Kit found at http://www.nwea.org/support/article/930/parent-toolkit

MAP ... now what?•Teachers have access to student reports to

help inform curriculum and differentiation.

•Teachers and students will be working with their MAP scores to set goals for future learning.

•Parents have access to student reports to help support learning from home.

•Scores are aligned with Arizona AIMS tests scores to illustrate state performance levels

•Scores are recognized by national academic organizations, such as colleges, universities, and academic talent search organizations.

Some things to think about....

Who did have the better year?

“NWEA’s computerized MAP tests provide teachers, students, and parents with an accurate assessment for a student’s learning achievement, precisely measuring what a child knows and needs to learn.

When administered at regular intervals over time, it is possible to find out whether an individual student, class, or an entire grade level, is making satisfactory progress in basic skill areas. Teachers can use this assessment for instructional planning for individual students or an entire class.”

- NWEA Admin Handbook

Questions?

Thank you for your time!