kcab,
This was under the Illinois NWEA MAP Frequently Asked Questions.
https://illinoisnwea.wikispaces.com/FAQ+MAPI hadn't realized there were different versions of the test:
What is the difference between the 2-5 version and the 6+ version of the tests?
- Math 2-5: has no items including computation with decimals, fractions, percents, etc.
- Math 6+: includes those computation items listed above, also ratio and proportion and other more difficult skills
- Reading 2-5: passage length cannot exceed 100 words
- Reading 6 +: passage length can go up to 600 words
NOTE: This does not effect how high the student can score on the test. A student who takes a 2-5 test can score just as high as a student on a 6+ test, but the content is limited.
What are the parameters for the Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer testing seasons?
NWEA's default test window dates are:
- Fall: 8/15 - 11/30
- Winter : 12/1 � 2/28
- Spring: 3/1 � 6/15
- Summer: 6/16 - 8/14
How do I explain it when students show no growth or negative growth?
Below is a list of questions to think through when faced with this situation...
� Is this a Spring to Fall issue?
� How much data do we have? Is this one or two data points?
� Did the student top out of the test? For the majority of the kids this will not be true.
� How does the data match other data you have about the child?
� What might be some reasons for the student�s performance at a given point in time? Upset? Test Anxiety?�
� Are there things that you know about the situation that could account for the lack of growth?
� Is this a pattern that you see in other subject areas?
� As you look at the student�s performance in this area, what do you see in the goal data?
� Is this a particular student�s pattern or did it show up in other kids?
� Are we challenging these kids appropriately? Is instruction differentiated enough?
� Is it a curriculum issue?
