Map Growth Testing

Oer the past few years, the Archdiocesan Schools Office has been researching assessment programs in order to find an assessment that provides teachers with data they can use throughout the year to
improve instruction and to support each student’s academic growth, while still providing the necessary norm-referenced data, such as national percentile scores. During the 2018-2019 school year, the Archdiocesan Schools Office piloted the NWEA MAP Growth online testing program in nine schools (WE WERE ONE OF THOSE SCHOOLS). Based on the success of that pilot, it was decided to transition elementary schools from Iowa Assessments to MAP Growth. Each elementary school had the option of moving to MAP Growth for the 2019-2020 school year or 2020-2021 school year.

MAP Growth is a computer adaptive test created by NWEA that students take three times per school
year (fall, winter, spring). The subject areas tested in MAP Growth in grades 2-8 are reading, math, and language, with science included in grades 3-7 and optional in grade 8. Computer adaptive tests adjust to each student’s learning level, providing a unique set of test questions based on the student’s responses to previous questions. If the student answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next question is easier. This results in a detailed picture of what the student knows and is ready to learn—whether it is on, above, or below their grade level. The results provide teachers with information to help them deliver appropriate content for each student and monitor each student’s academic growth over time.

Students take the MAP Growth test on a computer or tablet during a 3-4-week testing window established by the Archdiocesan Schools Office. Each school will set its own schedule within each of the testing windows. This flexibility allows testing to fit the school’s schedule and become part of the flow of the school day.  During the 2020-2021 school year, MAP Growth testing will take place during the following testing windows:
 

The MAP Growth tests are untimed. Most students complete each subject test in less than an hour.
Students who do not finish the assessment in the time scheduled for the testing session are able to resume the test at another time without the loss of test responses already submitted. The reports obtained from MAP Growth testing provide information about the student’s level of achievement and his or her growth over time. For more information about MAP Growth visit: https://www.nwea.org/parent-toolkit/

We will be contacting remote learning students with a schedule to come to the school to take the test.