Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP)

What is MAP testing?

MAP, or the Measure of Academic Progress, is a computerized adaptive test which helps teachers, parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make informed decisions to promote a child’s academic growth.

When will the student be tested and how often?

During of  the school year, students will participate in three MAP testing sessions to assess  Reading, Language, and Mathematics. When taking the MAP test, the difficulty of each question is based on how well a student answers all the previous questions. As the student answers correctly, questions become more difficult. If the student answers incorrectly, the questions become easier. Although the tests are not timed, it usually takes students about one hour to complete each test. Students will have the tests two times during the year, fall and spring in order to continually assess student progress and adapt learning as needed.

Do all students in the same grade take the same test?

No. This assessment is designed to target a student’s academic performance in reading, language and mathematics. These tests are tailored to an individual’s current achievement level. This gives each student a fair opportunity to show what he or she knows and can do. Because the computer adjusts the difficulty of the questions as the test progresses, each student takes a unique test.

What are the MAP test results used for?

MAP is used to measure a student’s progress or growth in school. The testing information is important to teachers because it indicates a student’s strengths are and help that is needed in any specific areas. Teachers can use this information to help them guide instruction in the classroom. If you have ever used a growth chart in your home to show how much your child has grown from one year to the next, it will help you understand the scale MAP uses to measure your child’s academic progress. The measurement system is called the RIT scale (Rasch unIT), and is an equal-interval scale much like feet and inches on a yardstick. The scale is used to chart your child’s academic growth from year to year. RIT scores typically start at the 140 to 190 level in third grade and progress to the 240 to 300 level by high school.

Ways Parents Can Help Their Child for MAP test

While teachers will communicate with students about the test, goals, and expectations, there’s no lack of opportunity for parents looking to prepare their kids for testing.

Here are few ways that parents can prepare their children for testing:

• Meet with your child’s teacher as often as needed to discuss his or her progress. Ask the teacher to suggest activities for you and your child to do at home to help prepare for tests and improve your child’s understanding of schoolwork. Parents and teachers working together benefits students.
• Provide many opportunities for your child to read books or other materials. Read aloud to your child. Research shows that this is the most important activity that parents can do to increase their child’s chance of reading success. Keep reading aloud even when your child can read independently.
• Spend time with kids on simple board games, puzzles, and activities that encourage strong math skills. Encourage children to solve problems. Provide assistance, but let them figure it out themselves. Problem solving is a lifetime skill.

While teachers play an integral role in the education of children, it goes without saying that parental involvement makes the biggest difference in a child’s scholastic success.