NWEA-MAP Resource Page

What is MAP?
MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) is an assessment package created by the non-profit group Northwest Evaluation Association.  MAP assessments are state-aligned computerized adaptive assessments that provide useful data and information about student achievement and growth. These test results can be used to:

Take a guided tour of MAP

MAP Frequently Asked Questions

How is USD 259 using MAP?
Central Office administration has been continually seeking ways to improve the measurement of student progress throughout the year. USD 259 will use MAP assessments with schools this fall to monitor student progress over time and differentiate instruction for students.

What subjects and grade levels will be tested?

Each school will administer the reading and math MAP assessments. Elementary schools will assess 3rd-5th graders, middle schools will assess 6th-8th graders, and high schools will assess 9th and 10 graders. 

The reading test will cover

The mathematics test will cover

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What accommodations are allowed for testing?

At times it may be necessary for students with special needs to have accommodations and modifications. These should be planned for and scheduling adjustments made prior to testing to allow for these special circumstances. NWEA recommends a set of allowable accommodations and modifications to keep data consistent from site to site and testing season to testing season. Types of allowable accommodations are as follows:

Change in Timing or Scheduling the Assessment

Changes in the Test Directions Read at the Beginning of the Test

Changes in How the Test Questions are Presented

Changes in How the Student Responds

Changes in Test Setting

Reference and Tools

* These accommodations are allowable for Special Education students only.

+ Scribes, educational assistants, and other people supporting a student’s test must be neutral in responding to the student during test administration. Assistance in test administration must not be “leading” a student to the correct answer. The student’s response must accurately represent the student’s own choice.

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What is DesCartes?

DesCartes is a tool that provides the information educators need to meet the academic needs of each student. DesCartes provides instructional planning tools specific for reading and mathematics skills and concepts by achievement level aligned to the Kansas standards and gives meaning to test data. When used in combination with other NWEA resources, such as assessment scores, reports, and training, educators can use DesCartes to:

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What are RIT scores?
RIT stands for Rasch Unit, which is a unit of measure that uses individual item difficulty values to estimate student achievement.  RIT scores create an equal interval scale.  Equal interval means that the difference between scores is the same regardless of whether a student is at the top, bottom or middle of the RUT scale, and it has the same meaning regardless of grade level.

Each students achievement is unique and no single test can yield a complete profile of a students overall achievement. RIT scores are very accurate estimates of where in the Learning Continuum they are at the time of testing. Students can correctly answer about 50% of the question in their RIT range. One RIT range lower, students can correctly answer about 80% of the questions. One RIT range higher they can answer about 20% of the questions correctly.

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What are Lexile Scores?

You will also see a score called a Lexile score that will tell you some additional information about your students' reading. The Lexile score is a measure of a student's achievement in reading as it relates to the varying difficulty level of books. If a student has a Lexile score of 1000, for example, then the student should be able to read books that are at about the 1000 level with about 75% comprehension. Books that are more than 50 Lexile points above the student's Lexile score will be challenging for the student, while books more than 100 Lexile points below will be easier, independent material for the student. The Lexile Framework Website has more information about the Lexile score.

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Where can I access reports after students have tested?

Here are some easy to follow instructions to find out how your students did on the recent MAP assessment.

  1. Obtain your user name and password from the building proctor
  2. Twenty-four hours after your class has completed testing, use the internet to log onto NWEA Reports login page.  Please mark the location as a favorite on your Internet Explorer. 
  3. Enter your user name and password
  4. On the left side of the screen click on Class by Subject.  Your classroom will be selected along with Fall 2006
  5. Click SUBMIT
  6. Your student results will appear listed by student name and results.
  7. Another report you may want to look at is Classroom by RIT.  This report groups your students by RIT scores

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Can I use MAP to help predict how students will do on the Kansas State Assessments?

NWEA completed a study of the alignment of the NWEA RIT Scale with the Kansas Assessment System in December 2006. This report can be found online by clicking here.

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MAP Resources

Who Can I Contact for More Information?

A MAP Training Team has been established to help answer questions and lead professional development in the district.  Please contact one of the team members for more information.

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