Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Identification, Testing & Assessment Age requirement for MAP?

At DS6's school, I recently learned, the kids don't take MAP tests until after their eighth birthday, no exceptions. So if they turn 8 in November, they can't take fall MAP assessments.

I thought MAPs were based on grade? It's not really an issue for my May baby, but I'm curious! Is this a NWEA policy or a school policy, I wonder? I intend to ask the school but wondered if anyone here knew.

My son took the MAP test last month. He is in 2nd grade and IS NOT 8 yet. As far as I know, MAP tests are grade based versus age based.

I just checked the NWEA site and they produce MAP tests designed for kindergartners. I would guess that policy is school based but it really doesn't make any sense. Since kids are typically 8ish in 2nd grade, do they only test the 8 year olds in the fall? Schools typically test in the Fall and Spring, although some district test an additioanl time mid-winter. I can't understand why a school would deny a child such an important diagnostic measure.

az1 -- There is a "Primary MAP" for K-2 -- they definitely don't have that one at this school, though ds6 took it last year at his public K. This school starts with the regular MAP.

The school does fall and spring MAP testing. From what I understand, if a child turns 8 in November, they do take the spring MAP test -- but yes, a child with a later birthday isn't be tested until spring. Isn't that odd? I'll have to ask for more specifics.

Maybe it *will* affect ds, now that I think about it ... the email I got from the school this fall was that testing was for students 2nd through 8th grades. But ds won't be 8 until the very end of 2nd grade ... so that policy would exclude him from any further testing until he was in 3rd grade. Don't know if I like that -- I like numbers.

I wonder if it's to give the school's average RIT score a bump? They included a sheet of average RIT levels per grade in our admissions packet. Maybe if only older 2nd graders are tested, the assumption is that they'll do better than if they included the younger 2nd graders?

Strange ... on my list to ask!