NWEA - MAP Testing

In summer of 2015, a committee was formed to address Goal 2, Action 5 of our Archdiocese of Seattle Office for Catholic Schools Strategic Plan, “Excellent Curricula, Teachers, and School Leaders: Accountability Through Assessment." The action states specifically, "For the purpose of assessing and improving learning, Archdiocesan policy will require that all Pre-K - 8 schools will administer a common test for assessing student achievement of common curriculum learning expectations." All schools in the Archdiocese of Seattle will be expected to participate in the MAP test beginning either in 16-17 or 17-18 school year.

We began by asking ourselves questions like, “What do we want the test to measure? How to measure? And what type of results are we looking for?” Then we researched various test publishers and invited each to make a presentation addressing their product and how the product answers our questions. As a committee, we decided, based on cost per students, and the availability of professional development in the use of the data, that the Northwest Evaluation Association’s, Measurement of Academic Progress (NWEA - MAP) would best fit our needs and our budgets.

What are the benefits?

1. A common test, a common measurement, and shared professional development throughout our Archdiocese for all Catholic schools allow us to speak the same assessment language.
2. Timely results usually available in report format within 24 hours of the testing event.
3. Three tests, one for reading, one for language arts and one for math. Each test takes approximately one hour to administer, two times a year – fall and spring in grades 2-8. Schools can choose to test grades Kindergarten and first.
4. MAP scores are norm referenced and show student growth over the year – and throughout the summer. This growth can be compared to all students across the nation in the same grade at a comparable stage of the school year.
5. Teachers will find a variety of MAP reports – including those that help predict proficiency on state tests, group students for differentiated instruction, and engage students in mapping their own learning plan for the school year.

Please take a moment to view the following video to give you a greater understanding of the assessment.
Video to Introduce MAP