I disagree with this. MAP testing IS used for placement for both reading and math.
From the cumulative report (2011 norms)...
[quote=NWEA]
" Comparative Data to Inform
Instructional Decisions
The information in this document is provided to help educators make informed decisions about what instructional programs or optional strategies might be used to help kids learn. These data should be used as one of many data points for instructional decisions rather than as the only single placement guide. They are applicable to a variety of instructional programs and instructional decisions. These might include but are not limited to:
Identifying and qualifying students for various instructional strategies
Guiding teachers who do not regularly make decisions on instructional program choices for students
Scheduling and grouping to meet students learning needs Screening for special or alternative instruction Staffing and resourcing
For each chart:
The grade designations represent beginning-of-year grade levels.
The RIT scores defining each level are separated by 1/2 standard deviation except for the highest level which is set at the 95th percentile.
At all levels, consider differentiated instruction, flexible grouping, or tiered instruction.
As scores ascend, give more consideration to curriculum-compacting, accelerated instructional pacing, and special programs.
As scores descend, give more consideration to additional instructional time, one-on-one tutoring, use of short cycle assessments, and special programs.
The instructional suggestions in this document are intended to provide initial ideas, not to be an exhaustive list of options. "
"A student score at or above the following scores on a 6+ Mathematics Survey with Goals test suggests student readiness for:
230 Introduction to Algebra 235 Algebra 245 Geometry "
You can use the MAP for placement, but you can't look at the grade equivalent scores and say that the kid belongs at that grade level in whatever subject it is, and this becomes more true the higher you go. An 11th grader in the spring at the 50th percentile has the same RIT score in math as a 6th grader at the 78th percentile. The RIT scores you mentioned for placement in math come from studies done that show that for a certain score (say 235 in math) a kid is likely to pass Algebra I. But this is different from using GEs for placement.
