So much for formatting, but the above in a neat table suggests that there are "different" MAP tests, each covering a few years at a time. Is this the case? I've pictured them as unlimited. If the child tests in say 4th grade, on the 3rd-5th version, does this mean his questions are somewhat limited to a 5th "and change" level? Or if he does well, will the test adjust into the 6th+ range? I'm curious about how adaptive these tests really are.
There's a good question ... in ds6's MAP assessment last year he scored at beginning third-grade level ... which was 99th percentile. I have to think there are more kids out there working above where he was at that time? Maybe I've got my GT blinders on, but really, I wonder if there was some sort of ceiling on it. He did the Primary Measures one (K-2). OTOH, the story of the second grader hitting algebra seems to suggest there really isn't a ceiling and the test will go as high as you need it to.
I wonder if the grade levels are more "starting places" so that the child starts at a reasonable spot?
ETA: We tried the IAS rigamarole last year. Didn't work, but from what I understood at the time, you can norm the MAP against current grade for an achievement test, or against a higher grade for an aptitude test -- but you can't use it for both. Could be wrong there, we just needed an aptitude test (and the school wouldn't take the MAP for it, ha).
Either way, if you do end up using the IAS in full, make sure the school follows the steps outlined. My ds's public school broke all the meeting rules and filled the thing out themselves -- so it said what they wanted it to say, with no parental input. Frustrating.
