News
New MAP assessments to measure student growth
Beginning this fall, the Green Island Union Free School District is using a new student assessment tool for all students in grades K-10. The new tests, called Measures of Academic Progress™ (MAP), will make it easier and faster for teachers to benchmark each student’s instructional level and continually measure academic growth.
Testing will be conducted over a three-week period beginning Oct. 24 for students in Kindergarten through sixth grade. The three-week testing window for students in grades 7-10 begins Nov. 7.
Download Superintendent Dr. Mugits's letter that further explains the district's use of MAP assessment data, here [pdf].
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
What is MAP testing?
A form of computerized testing, MAP is being
introduced to students during the 2011-2012 school year. MAP, or the
Measure of Academic Progress, is an adaptive test which helps teachers,
parents, and administrators improve learning for all students and make
informed decisions to promote a child’s academic growth.
Who will be tested?
Students in Kindergarten through tenth grade will be tested using the
new MAP assessment.
When will my student be tested and how
often?
Three times a year - in the fall, winter and spring - students will
participate in MAP testing sessions to assess Reading, Language Usage
and Mathematics. When taking the 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. Although the tests are not timed, it usually takes students
about one hour to complete each test. Students will repeat the tests
again twice to continually assess student progress and adapt learning as
needed.
Do all students in the same grade take
the same test?
No. This assessment is designed to target a student’s academic
performance. 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. Because the computer adjusts the
difficulty of the questions as the test progresses, each student takes a
unique test.
What is the MAP test results used for?
MAP is used to measure a student’s progress or growth in school. They
are important to teachers because they let teachers know where a
student’s strengths are and if help is needed in any specific areas.
Teachers use this information to help them guide instruction in the
classroom.
Do these tests replace annual state
testing?
No. These assessments will complement state tests routinely administered
in the spring to students in grades 3-8. The MAP tests are to be used as
a guide for more tailored instruction. They are also aligned with the
Common Core standards, the uniform curriculum standards all schools in
New York state will be required to implement. Teachers in Green Island
are working hard to provide a smooth transition to the Common Core. The
MAP testing is intended to help in this transition.
How can I help my child prepare for MAP
testing?
Provide a comfortable, quiet place for studying at home.
Make sure that your child is well-rested on school days, especially the day of the test. Children who are tired are less able to pay attention in class or to handle the demands of a test.
Give your child a well-rounded diet. A healthy body leads to a healthy, active mind.
Provide books and magazines for your child to read at home. By reading new material, a child learns a new words that might appear on a test.
Meet with your child’s teacher as often as needed to discuss his or her progress. Parents and teachers working together benefits your child.
Where can I go
for more information about MAP testing?
You can go directly to the NWEA website at
http://www.nwea.org.
For more Q&As,
tips for parents and website resources, download the
NWEA Parent Toolkit [pdf].
