FAQ's

NWEA MAP Growth Assessments

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

How much testing time will MAP require?

The MAP tests are scheduled to be given three times per year. During each administration the assessment for Reading and the assessment for Math are scheduled to take approximately 50 minutes. Most students finish within this timeframe, however, the test is not timed and additional time is provided as necessary.

How will the district use these test results to inform classroom instruction?

When MAP data is compiled, it will be used to differentiate instruction, to identify curricular areas in need of revision and, in some instances, student achievement needing additional support.

Will these tests be used as a factor for placement in supplemental, honors, enrichment, or our gifted and talented programs?

MAP results will not be used as a singular determining factor for placement in any of our special programs. MAP data will be used with other assessments, cumulative grades and classroom performance data to identify students in need of additional academic support through district programs specifically designed to meet students’ needs.

How does the MAP test correlate with the PARCC tests?

PARCC tests are intended to be summative measures of student achievement on grade level standards after learning has taken place for most of the school year. MAP tests are formative assessments providing data on student growth throughout the year. In many cases, MAP results can be predictive of PARCC achievement because they measure the same types of skills and knowledge.

How do the tests adapt to the appropriate level for your child’s proficiency?

In general, if a student answers an item incorrectly, further questions in the same subset of knowledge and skills may be less challenging until the student begins to experience success with those questions. The advantage to increasing or decreasing the level of challenge of questions based on student responses is that students are much less likely to become frustrated by repeated questions they cannot answer or repeated questions that are too easy for them.

What accommodations and modifications will be in place for the testing?

General testing accommodations, including extended time and small group sessions, will be in place.

What is RIT?

MAP scores are reported as RIT scores. RIT stands for Rasch unIT, a measure scale of student achievement and growth developed to simplify the interpretation of test scores. RIT is an equal interval scale, like feet and inches, so scores can be added together to calculate accurate class and school averages. RIT scores range from 100 to 300, depending on the scale and testing season.

How will the MAP assessment be implemented for students who are identified to take alternate state assessments?

Currently students with Individualized Educational Plans (IEPs) who are identified for alternate assessments are not scheduled to take the general MAP assessments. Case managers have reached out to the parents of these students to discuss participation in the MAP assessments. Parents with questions are encouraged to reach out to thier child's case manager.