Does the MAP test have a ceiling? My 5th grader scored scored 237 reading and 250 math. The chart provided by the school tops out at 226 and 240. Just wondering if I should use another test next year or stick with this one.

No, it definitely has higher #s available than the chart they gave you. 226 is the 87th percentile for 5th grade spring reading and 240 is the 95th percentile for 5th grade spring math. I'm not sure why they'd stop the chart there.

Your dc's scores are both exactly at the 99th for an end of 5th grader.

Take a look at this chart for more expansive info including being able to compare his/her scores to older grades:
http://pickens.it.schoolfusion.us/m...ssionid=14d1e9266e4482d198ebc39c6e6bc9c3

The Math MAP tops out at 260.

Here is a link that breaks down the math skills students are expected to know at each RIT band. It is a useful tool for placement.

Here is a similar link that shows which reading skills students should be working on for each RIT band.


HTH.

Thanks so much, those links are very helpful.

I'm pretty sure the math map does *not* max out at 260 ... this chart goes up to 277, and I thought it went higher:

http://pickens.it.schoolfusion.us/m...ssionid=14d1e9266e4482d198ebc39c6e6bc9c3

Here's what the NWEA says about the ceiling:
http://www.nwea.org/support/article/532/rit-scale
Why do RIT scales vary from subject to subject (e.g. the mathematics RIT scale goes higher than other subject areas)? A ceiling effect exists when an assessment does not have sufficient range to accurately measure students at the highest performance levels. It has nothing to do with the actual numbers attached to the scale and everything to do with the position of students on it. For example, in reading, the RIT scale measures with relative accuracy up to about 245. This represents the 93rd percentile at grade 10, and the 95th percentile at grade 8. If a student scores above we know that student performed high but may not be able to accurately assess how high they performed. Relative to other tests, therefore, there is very little true ceiling effect in this assessment. Even most high performing 10th graders receive a technically accurate measure of their skill.

I stand corrected! Thanks for the links.