1. What is MAP and what does it measure? You may be familiar with paper and pencil tests where all students are asked the same questions and spend a fixed amount of time taking the test. MAP is different. MAP is a computer adaptive test, which means every student gets a unique set of test questions based on responses to previous questions. As the student answers correctly, questions get harder. If the student answers incorrectly, the questions get easier. By the end of the test, most students will answer about half the questions correctly. MAP can follow students wherever they are starting from, regardless of the grade they are in. For instance, if a third grader is actually reading like a fifth grader, MAP will be able to identify that. Or, if a fifth grader is doing math like a third grader, MAP will identify that. Both things are incredibly important for a teacher to know, so that they can plan instruction efficiently. MAP covers reading, language usage, and math. 
  2. What is a RIT score? When students finish, they receive a score – a number – called a RIT score. This score represents a student’s achievement level at a given moment in the school year, when the test is given. Taken over time, the scores can compute a student’s academic growth. 
  3. How often will my child take the MAP test? Parkview will give MAP tests to students at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. 
  4. How long is the MAP test? Most students take less than an hour to complete a MAP test. However, MAP is not timed, and students may take as much time as they need to complete them.  Breaks are also given to individuals during these tests, if needed.
  5. Is MAP a standardized test? How is it different from ‘high-stakes’ or state tests? When we talk about high-stakes tests, usually we’re talking about a state test. These are designed to measure what students already know, based on what is expected at their grade level, as a way to measure grade-level proficiency. MAP is designed to measure student achievement in the moment, and growth over time, regardless of grade level, so it is quite different. Another difference is the timeliness of the results. While state test usually return information in the fall after the test is taken, MAP gives quick feedback to teachers, administrators, students and parents. Teachers receive results with MAP that show what students know and what they are ready to learn. The results can be used to help personalize lessons at the appropriate level for the students.