NWEA MAP TESTING
By Shelly Dostal, Principal at Valparaiso and K-6 Curriculum Director
Raymond Central has adopted a new achievement testing format for the 2010-11 school year. Students in grades 3-11 will be taking the NWEA MAP (Northwest Evaluation Association Measures of Academic Progress) tests as their norm referenced test.
MAP tests are given to students to determine a student’s appropriate instructional level and to measure academic growth throughout the school year. In subsequent years, growth will be able to be measured in reading, language usage, and math from year to year. Science tests will also be given in grades 5, 8, and 11. Students will be taking the tests three times each year. The first test was given in late September. The results from this test will serve as a baseline for students. The tests will be given again the last two weeks of January and then again between April 25 and May 6. Each test lasts approximately one hour. Results from the testing are available to teachers within 72 hours. A scale score is available to students immediately following the testing.
MAP tests are unique in that they adapt to be appropriate for your child’s level of learning. As a result, each student has the same opportunity to succeed and maintain a positive attitude toward testing. MAP tests are adaptive tests your child takes on a computer. That means that the test becomes more difficult the more questions your child answers correctly. When your child incorrectly answers a question, the test becomes easier. Therefore, your child takes a test specifically created for his or her learning level. In addition, your child will have had the opportunity to learn the information presented on the test because the tests are aligned with the Nebraska State Standards. Raymond Central curriculum is aligned to the standards so it all correlates.
MAP tests are important to teachers because they keep track of progress and growth in basic skills. They let teachers know where a student’s strengths are and if help is needed in any specific areas. Since results from the testing are available to teachers soon after testing, teachers can use this information to help them guide instruction in the classroom.
We are excited to begin a new era that focuses on every child’s individual growth and achievement. Partnering to help all kids learn, parents and teachers can have a profound positive effect on the lives of our children.
For more information about MAP testing and resources for parents, go the Parent Toolkit at www.nwea.org . If you have questions about the NWEA MAP process at Raymond Central, please don’t hesitate to call Shelly Dostal at 784-3301. In future newsletters, information will be shared about testing results and how to interpret your child’s scores.
Here is a site for parents to gain information about cyber bullying and internet safety.
http://www.schoolcounselor.com/safety/index.asp
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