How many times per year do you administer this? Which subjects are tested? I'm assuming you use this in grades 2-8?
Thanks. Carol > We currently use NWEA in our district. We do not start using the NWEA, > however, until second grade. In kindergarten and first grade other > non-computerized assessments are given. I do like the NWEA for several > reasons. One, it shows growth. So often we look at state testing and it > only allows for passing or failing. It doesn't show us where our students > started and how far we've taken them. Second, there is a lot of > information that can be pulled from the website using your class data. > There is strand data for students to pinpoint where they struggled or > succeeded. It can also make your guided reading groups using strand data. > Now, I don't suggest using that all year, but in the beginning of the > year before you know your students those groups are a great starting > point. Third, it's quick. There are times in the year, I set aside for > the longer assessments such as the DRA, but this is quick information that > I can use immediately. Last, there is no way to prepare for it. In my > mind, I see that as a wonderful thing. Why do we "prepare" these kids for > tests? We should just be doing the best job we can with them everyday, > and that is more than all of the preparation they need. So without > prepping them, you can see exactly where they started and where they're > going. The two main assessments my district administrators look at are > NWEA and MCA (our state test). Now, if they're going to compare and look > at data from those two tests, I want them to look at the one that shows > them how my students have grown. > > All this said, it is still one test on one day. Data and testing are > necessary evils that I don't always agree with, and no test is going to > explain our students better than we can. > > ________________________________ > > > Our district will begin using MAP in the fall as well, but I am cautious > of the primary test because it is new. I am not sure how K-1 students > will do on a computer test. We also used DIBELS, but have now shifted to > AIMS Web as a screener. > > Annette > > In regard to Test Talk. Are any of you in school districts where you are > forced to give NWEA MAP levels tests? I'm not sure they can be prepared > for (which is a major shortcoming!), and I would LOVE to know how people > do prepare their children for Levels tests. Thanks for any info. > > I, too, would be interested in the MAP testing. Our district will be > using it beginning next fall. As the Elementary Language Arts facilitator > for the district, I am in the process of deciding which of our tests will > be replaced by the MAP test. So far we are looking at getting rid of > GATES MCGINITE and some of our district made tests. I'm hoping the > principals will be willing to abandon DIBELS or at least limit its use. > >>From what little I know about MAP, I would say the best way to prepare >> for such a test that shows growth is by effective teaching. During our >> consideration of MAP, we heard very little negative comments. > > Thank you, > Barb > > _______________________________________________ > Mosaic mailing list > [email protected] > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. > > Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. > > > > _______________________________________________ > Mosaic mailing list > [email protected] > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. > > Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Mosaic mailing list > [email protected] > To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to > http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. > > Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive. > > _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
