MAP® Testing in Middle School
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Ms. Sarah Boylin - Middle School Principal
Students at VIS complete MAP® tests from Grade 3-8 in both the Elementary and Middle School. These are an external form of assessment used by the school as part of the expectations laid out by the Middle States Association (MSA) who accredit our school. As a school we have been running MAP® testing for the last few years and these tests generate a wealth of data that can be used to support students learning. Within Middle School students complete MAP® tests in Reading, English Language, Mathematics and Science twice a year (September and February). These results will be shared with parents and will be available within the reports section of managebac. MAP® testing helps to show the progress students make and it is important to understand that all students are individuals and are all on their own learning journeys.
Although MAP® is something that has been used at VIS for a number of years, there are still many parents who have questions about what it is, why it is used and what it shows. At the start of February Ms Mistruzzi and I offered two Parent information sessions (PIM) on MAP® details of which I would like to share with you.
What is MAP®?
MAP® is one tool, used by hundreds of international schools around the world, that helps determine a child’s instructional level of learning. Students in Grades 6 to 8 take these online assessments in the areas of Reading, English Language, Mathematics and Science twice a year. The results provide teachers with the information they need to improve teaching and learning by differentiating their lessons, and to help track individual’s academic growth.
These computer tests are unique in that the questions are dynamically generated, adapting to be appropriate for each child’s level of learning.
Student MAP® Scores
Student testing results are reported in RIT scores (short for Rasch UnIT). The RIT scale is an equal-interval scale much like centimetres on a metre stick. The RIT scale accurately measures what students know, regardless of their grade level. It also measures growth over time, allowing you to track your child’s progress throughout the school year and across multiple years. This type of score increases the value of the tests as a tool to improve student learning because it enables teachers to pinpoint what students have learned and what they are ready to learn.
Understanding the RIT Score
The NWEA RIT Scale Norms indicate an expectation for where a child should be in their learning in Reading, Language, Mathematics and Science by grade level. These Norms were created by gathering data from test result samples drawn randomly from up to 10.2 million students, attending approximately 1000 schools across the United States.
Using the Norm, you can determine if your child is performing at, above or below grade level. It is important to understand that the MAP® assessment is one test at one point in time. It does not measure intelligence or a student’s capacity for learning. When making important decisions about students, teachers consider the results along with other data gathered, such as classroom performance, project work, summative assessments, etc.