WHAT IS MAP? AMES Lunch and Learn

What is MAP? Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) State-aligned computerized adaptive assessment program that provides educators with the information they need to improve teaching and learning. “adaptive” – meaning the tests dynamically adjust to each student’s performance level. The difficulty of a test is adjusted to the student’s performance so each student sees different test questions. The difficulty of each question is based on how well the student has answered the questions up to that point. As the student answers correctly, the questions become more difficult. If the student answers incorrectly, the questions become easier.

What is MAP? Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) - Educators use the growth and achievement data to develop targeted instructional strategies and to plan school improvement. MAP tests measure academic growth over time, independent of grade level or age. At Anderson Mill Elementary School, grades 2 through 5 take MAP three times a school year: Fall (September); Mid-year (December/January); and Spring (March) 3 Tests: Mathematics, Reading, and Language Usage Scores are norm-referenced.

MAP Students complete the computerized test by answering a number of questions on a particular content area. The questions range in difficulty depending how the student answers. At the end of the test, students will receive a score. A sample score sheet is on the next slide. This gives the teacher and parents necessary information to determine where this student is academically compared to other students.

Sample Student Score Sheet

RIT Score Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) What is the RIT Scale? The scale NWEA uses to measure a student’s progress is called the RIT scale, short for Rasch UnIT. The RIT scale is an equal-interval scale much like centimeters on a meterstick. It is used to chart a student’s academic growth from year to year. Teachers are able to use students’ RIT scores to provide instructional strategies listed in the DesCartes continuum of learning: flexible grouping for instruction guide differentiated instruction link test results to skills and concepts included in state standards (PASS) evaluate appropriate reading materials facilitate goal-setting and student learning plans

Parent Toolkit Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Parent Toolkit: A Guide to NWEA Assessments Visit this web-page to download this 5-page booklet: http://www.nwea.org/sites/www.nwea.org/files/resources/Parent%20Toolkit_0.pdf

Study Island Recently, our district adopted a new computer based program to assist students in their mastery of grade level standards. This program is designed to assess students on their knowledge of specific skills. Students log onto the computer using their own personal login. They have the opportunity to work through standard based lessons assigned to them by their teachers. The students will have lessons to learn and practice the skill. Once they have worked through the practice, the students will take an assessment on the same skill to determine mastery. Study Island offers games and fun activities for students to play once they master a skill. These games last no longer than a few seconds. Students also have the opportunity to compete with their peers across the state to get the highest score on a particular assessment.

Study Island A web based computer programs that allows: Teachers are also able to make individual and/or classroom assignments for students based on RIT scores and current classroom instruction related to state academic standards. Students go to the computer lab at least once every two weeks at school; teachers sign-up for more time whenever possible. Students can access Study Island at home and are encouraged to do so at any time.

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