Toward the end of November, students in grades 3-10 will be taking the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) tests known as Measures of Academic Progress (MAP). MAP tests are used to determine instructional level and to measure academic growth in core areas from fall to spring and from year to year. Students will be assessed in the areas of reading, language usage, mathematics, and science.
Please review the "NWEA Parent Toolkit" to learn more about interpreting your child's results. Briefly, MAP tests are unique because the computer adapts the questions 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. With MAP tests, we can administer shorter tests and use less class time while still receiving detailed, accurate information about your child's growth.
NWEA tests give us valuable academic achievement and Adequate Yearly Progress mandates for school improvement. Most importantly, our teaching and administrative staff will be using the results to better improve our curriculum, instruction, and assessment procedures to help all students be successful.
We see NWEA MAP computer adaptive testing as one piece of your student's entire assessment picture. The strength of the MAP is that it focuses on every child's growth and achievement. NWEA's mission, as an assessment service provider, is clearly in line with our school goals
By "partnering to help all students learn," parents and teachers can have a profound positive effect on the lives of our children.
During this assessment window, make sure your student is well-rested, has had a good breakfast, and is ready to do his or her best.
For additional information about NWEA please visit their website: http://www.nwea.org/