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What is the MAP test?
Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) is a computerized adaptive test that measures the student’s general knowledge and academic growth in reading, language usage, mathematics and science. It is designed to individually assess each student from grades 2 to 10. MAP is not a timed test; each student may take as long as needed, which helps users of English (as a second language) and reduces test-taking stress.
Test items dynamically adjust to a student's performance level, and as a result, test scores are more accurate. Since MAP adapts to the student's ability, it accurately measures both what a child knows and s/he needs to learn. In addition, MAP tests measure academic growth over time, independent of grade level or age. Most importantly, the results educators receive have practical application to teaching and learning.
How Does MAP Work?
MAP is developed using Item-Response Theory. Each student takes a unique test that is dynamically developed for the student as the test is being administered. The program instantly analyzes the student's response to each test item and determines the appropriate difficulty level to present during the remainder of the test. It also verifies which items a student has seen in previous sessions and doesn't display them again. In essence, the difficulty of the test is adjusted to the student's performance.
MAP Scores and Results
MAP generates a "Rasch Unit score," or RIT score, to describe achievement and growth, where scores range from about150 (Grades 2 and 3) to 270 (end of high school). Upon completion of a test, the student’s score appears immediately on the screen. MAP can be taken up to four times a year. Moreover the MAP system keeps track of the student's test history, and reports are available showing student growth over time.
What is different about the purposes of the MAP test?
With the MAP test, the purpose is not to assign the status of "proficient" or "below basic" to students. Instead, MAP tests measure a student's instructional level, focusing on the area of learning where a student can make the greatest academic growth. The MAP test is different from mastery tests. Typical mastery tests present every student with the same test, usually created for a specific grade level. The purpose of this type of assessment (i.e. MAP) is to indicate which students have met the benchmark for the grade, and which students have not yet learned the grade-level material.
In terms of teaching and learning, educators use the growth and achievement data from MAP to develop targeted instructional strategies and to plan school improvement. MAP test results (highly accurate), help educators make student-focused, data-driven decisions at the classroom and school levels. This includes for example student admission and placement decisions.
Extra Benefits from MAP test
· MAP is designed in such a way as to reveal when a student is just guessing, randomly answering, or racing through the test just to finish. Not only does it test. It is also an electronic proctor!
· MAP Meets CITA accreditation standards for a required standardized assessment.
· MAP provides the teacher with the information he requires to prepare instructional plans for the class and individual students.
· In MAP, there are no limits – test questions cover kindergarten to university levels.
Please note that:
· Students from grades 2 to 10 have sat for two MAP tests during school year 2009-2010. Parents will be notified of the dates of MAP tests to be held during school year 2010-2011.
· Through monitoring the results of MAP tests, the academic progress of each student is being revealed throughout the whole academic year.
· As for the RIT charts used to analyze students’ scores in the MAP test (in English Language, Mathematics, and Science), they are available on the school’s website. Under each range of scores, we have listed the necessary skills and knowledge that the student needs to master for his/her own grade level.
· Students who will not give a proper attention and care while doing their MAP test by pressing any keys just to finish the exam, will end up with non realistic scores that do not reflect their academic performance. Alternatively, their results will be misleading and will not help us measure the concerned students’ academic growth.
For queries regarding the MAP test, kindly contact Ms Maha Teema, School Deputy for American Program / Head of Mathematics Department.
Thank you for your continued support and co-operation
School Administration
RIT Charts
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