FALL MAP TESTING UNDERWAY IN OLMSTED FALLS
Olmsted Falls School District is pleased to announce the implementation of a new diagnostic tool that will be used across the district to enhance our evaluation of student knowledge and skill levels to further inform our classroom instruction. MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) testing is an online, no-risk program from Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) that our District will use to provide information on our students’ strengths and weaknesses in both reading and math. This testing tool is for diagnostic purposes only and does not impact students’ classroom grades.
Starting this month, some students in grades 9 and 10 have already begun our initial Fall MAP Testing. Moving forward, MAP testing will be used for students across the District in grades K through 10. MAP testing will occur three times a year with testing periods in fall (during September), winter (during January) and spring (during April). Each test takes about 30-45 minutes to complete. The power of MAP testing is that the students receive questions based upon how they answer the previous questions. For example, if a student gets the answer correct, then the next question is slightly harder. This continues until the student is given questions above their current ability level. If a student struggles, then they are given questions of lower difficulty. This process continues until we receive a RIT score. This score is a comparison of where they fall upon the national K-12 grade curriculum continuum.
Important Things for Parents to Know About MAP Testing:
1) All students are supposed to struggle at some point. This is not a test of proficiency or grade level mastery. Some students will be given questions at a high school level to see how far they can go. They are not expected to answer them correctly.
2) This score does not affect their grade. We use it to plan interventions and enrichment.
3) We do NOT want this to become a competition. This testing tool is for diagnostic purposes only and we do not want the students to feel they need to reach a certain score.
4) We DO want the students to take it seriously since we want to find out where they truly fall, but not at the expense of unneeded stress. Quality data and a true effort will help the teachers tailor instruction for all his/her students. Half-hearted effort may give a false indication of their true needs.
NWEA’s MAP program provides data that is sound, nationally normed comparisons, great exposure to online tests (which student will continue to see everywhere from driving exams, certification programs and college), and a wealth of information that helps us help your child.
If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher, school principal or Assistant Superintendent Kelli Cogan at [email protected] or (440) 427-6000
Olmsted Falls School District is pleased to announce the implementation of a new diagnostic tool that will be used across the district to enhance our evaluation of student knowledge and skill levels to further inform our classroom instruction. MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) testing is an online, no-risk program from Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) that our District will use to provide information on our students’ strengths and weaknesses in both reading and math. This testing tool is for diagnostic purposes only and does not impact students’ classroom grades.
Starting this month, some students in grades 9 and 10 have already begun our initial Fall MAP Testing. Moving forward, MAP testing will be used for students across the District in grades K through 10. MAP testing will occur three times a year with testing periods in fall (during September), winter (during January) and spring (during April). Each test takes about 30-45 minutes to complete. The power of MAP testing is that the students receive questions based upon how they answer the previous questions. For example, if a student gets the answer correct, then the next question is slightly harder. This continues until the student is given questions above their current ability level. If a student struggles, then they are given questions of lower difficulty. This process continues until we receive a RIT score. This score is a comparison of where they fall upon the national K-12 grade curriculum continuum.
Important Things for Parents to Know About MAP Testing:
1) All students are supposed to struggle at some point. This is not a test of proficiency or grade level mastery. Some students will be given questions at a high school level to see how far they can go. They are not expected to answer them correctly.
2) This score does not affect their grade. We use it to plan interventions and enrichment.
3) We do NOT want this to become a competition. This testing tool is for diagnostic purposes only and we do not want the students to feel they need to reach a certain score.
4) We DO want the students to take it seriously since we want to find out where they truly fall, but not at the expense of unneeded stress. Quality data and a true effort will help the teachers tailor instruction for all his/her students. Half-hearted effort may give a false indication of their true needs.
NWEA’s MAP program provides data that is sound, nationally normed comparisons, great exposure to online tests (which student will continue to see everywhere from driving exams, certification programs and college), and a wealth of information that helps us help your child.
If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher, school principal or Assistant Superintendent Kelli Cogan at [email protected] or (440) 427-6000