Stephanie, What is the MAP test? Leslie In a message dated 4/4/2008 10:05:41 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
I think the power of NWEA's MAP assessment lies in how the data is used. We are in our second year using MAP in grades K-6. The assessment is FAR more informative than any other standardized or state test I have seen. Since the test is a computer-adaptive test, it adjusts fairly quickly to a student's level, so I have not experienced students becoming frustrated and giving up/ guessing. Students are much more motivated for this assessment than any other, because they get immediate results. Our students know what their goals are and as soon as they finish the test they know if they have met their goal or not. The data you get back from MAP is very helpful in determining strengths and weaknesses in both your class and individuals. As opposed to saying, this child is below level and nothing more, MAP gives specific feedback as to which of your state standards students need more support in. What I think I like most about MAP is the focus on GROWTH. By using MAP my school is recognizing how much "value added" there is with students each year. We can see which students are not being reached and provide interventions. In addition, instructors are recognized for their efforts when they have a student who comes into their classroom three year below grade level, and then later in the year, the student is only a year below grade level. Instructors need to be held accountable--- and praised--- when students grow in their abilities, even if the students aren't exactly where we need them to be yet. I have a friend who teaches in Kansas City (where they also use MAP) and she didn't really know much about the test, so she didn't really like it. I think once you become familiar with the assessment (and the NWEA website is an awesome resource for that) the benefits are clear. I have attended several workshops with NWEA representatives as well as attended the national conference last year. In addition I have taken the MAP test myself (more than several times!) both the primary and regular MAP versions. I would say that overall, the test is fair and adaptive, as promised. I agree that when students are used to marking the text are going to be a little disoriented at first when they have to read from a computer screen, but I also know that once students have taken MAP once, they know what to expect and if they are proficient with the use of strategies, they don't need to mark the text. I 100% agree with Paula and Barb when they mentioned that the way we "prepare" for a test is to TEACH! It scares me a bit when instructors talk about how they are going to prepare students for a test. You are preparing them everyday with your instruction! If we are doing our job in classrooms, then aside from a few "test genre" strategies, our students know what they need to know to do well. I highly recommend that anyone in a district using MAP look further into the assessment (including DesCartes) before you brush it off as not useful or valid. p.s. When I used MAP as a 1st grade teacher I HATED the assessment. Now that I know more about it, I see all the benefits of this particular assessment and I can effectively use the data to help teachers and students. ~Stephanie Bartell, Literacy Coordinator [EMAIL PROTECTED] Galapagos Charter School, Chicago, IL --------------------------------- You rock. That's why Blockbuster's offering you one month of Blockbuster Total Access, No Cost. _______________________________________________ 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. **************Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides. (http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000016) _______________________________________________ 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.
