Measure of Academic Progress
Here at St. Vincent’s, students in grades 2-8 take the Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) test twice a
year (Sept. and May). Students test in the subject areas of reading, language arts, and math. St.
Vincent’s began using the MAP test in September of 2016.
Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Testing*
What is MAP?
The MAP was created by Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA). It is a computer adaptive test,
which means every student gets a unique set of test questions based on responses to previous
questions. As the student answers correctly, questions get harder. If the student answers incorrectly,
the questions get easier. By the end of the test, most students will answer about half the questions
correctly.
What does MAP measure?
MAP results are provided as a numerical RIT score. This score is used to measure a student’s
achievement level at different times of the school year and compute growth. Think of this like marking
height on a growth chart. You can tell how tall your child is at various point in time and how much they
have grown between one time and another.
What is a RIT score?
After each MAP test, students receive a RIT score. Think of the score as a student’s height. The score
reflects the student’s academic knowledge, skills, and abilities like inches reflect height. Scores over time
can be compared to tell how much growth a student has made, similar to measuring height with a ruler.
How do schools and teachers use MAP scores?
NWEA provides many different reports to help schools and teachers use MAP information. Schools,
grade levels, and classes can be monitored to see how schools are growing.
Teachers can see the progress of individual students and of their class as a whole. Students with similar
MAP scores are generally ready for instruction in similar skills and topics. MAP also provides data around
the typical growth for students who are in the same grade, subject, and have the same starting
achievement level.
*from NWEA A Parent’s Guide to MAP