1. District-Wide Use of Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Data

2. The ability to identify patterns and trends. Since it uses the same metric from year to year we can assess true growth. NWEA has conducted growth studies that allows us to compare Appoquinimink student growth to the rest of the country

3. Longitudinal data that enable effective decision-making at the district level. By looking at student scores (several times a within a school year) over their entire time here at Appoquinimink, we can get a better picture of what may cause fluctuations in scores.

4. Guidance when planning for professional and staff development. Through multiple testing periods over time we can efficiently pinpoint areas in which we need additional development This type of testing will also let us gain information to possibly pinpoint where professional development would be most beneficial

5. An accurate measure of group performance. By using fall MAP data we can predict “how far away” a student is from meeting the DSTP standard for the spring test as well as acquire the probability of that student meeting the standard. For example, prior research has told us that a 7 th grade student with a Fall Reading RIT of 205 has a 45% chance of passing the Spring DSTP Reading exam. This also enables us to make school-wide projections that allows us to make AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) projections.