• Frequently Asked Questions for Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessment

     
    MAP  is a computerized adaptive test called Measure of Academic Progress or MAP.  When taking a 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.  In an optimal test, a student answers approximately half the items correctly and half incorrectly.  The final score is an estimate of the student’s achievement level.

     

    What subjects does MAP assess?

     

    MAP is available in Mathematics, Reading, Language Usage, and Science assessments.

     

    How long does it take to complete a test?

     

    Although the tests are not timed, it usually takes students about one hour to complete each test.

     

    When will my student be tested and how often?

     

    Districts have the option of testing their students up to four times a year.  Districts typically test students at the beginning of the school year in fall and at the end of the school year in spring.  Some districts may also choose to test students in winter and summer.

     

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

     

    No.  MAP assessment is designed to target a student’s academic performance in mathematics, reading, language usage, and science.  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.  If a school uses MAP, the computer adjusts the difficulty of the questions so that each student takes a unique test.

     

    What is MAP assessment used for?

     

    MAP assessment is used to measure your student’s progress or growth in school.  You may have a chart in your home on which you mark your child’s height at certain times, such as on his or her birthday.  This is a growth chart.  It shows how much he or she has grown from one year to the next.  MAP assessment does the same sort of thing, except it measures your student’s growth in mathematics, reading, language usage, and science skills.  The scale used to measure your child’s progress is called the RIT scale (Rasch unIT).   The RIT scale is an equal-interval scale much like feet and inches on a yardstick.  It is used to chart your child’s academic growth from year to year.

     

    How do teachers use the test scores?

     

    MAP tests are important to teachers because they keep track of progress and growth in basic skills.  They let teachers know where a student’s strengths are and if help is needed in any specific areas.  Teachers use this information t help them guide instruction in the classroom.