About MAP Growth Assessment

List of 10 items.

  • What is MAP Growth and what does it measure?

    MAP Growth is a computer-adaptive assessment. That means every student gets a unique set of assessment questions based on responses they give 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 assessment, most students will have answered about half the questions correctly, as is common on adaptive assessments. 
    The purpose of MAP Growth is to determine what the student knows and what they are ready to learn next. It is also designed to track students’ individual growth over time, wherever they are starting from regardless of the grade they are in. For instance, if a third grader is reading at a fifth-grade level, MAP Growth will be able to identify that. Or, if a fifth grader is doing math at a third-grade level, MAP Growth will identify that, too. Both things are incredibly important for teachers to know so that they can plan instruction efficiently. As the name suggests, it is the growth that we focus on for each individual student over the academic year.

  • Who takes MAP Growth Assessments at WSM?

    At West Side Montessori, we use the MAP Growth tests as an additional tool to monitor your child’s academic progress. We introduce these assessments at 2nd level, and the students continue to take the tests until the end of 8th grade. Our younger students in K and 1st grade are given screeners to identify potential indicators of learning differences such as dyslexia.
    The school picked MAP Growth to replace the Terra Nova testing very carefully, and there is an active committee that is ensuring that we use the assessments and resulting data appropriately for our school and our students. We are committed to making sure that our students never feel over-tested or that any assessments we give them are for no purpose. The mission statement of the committee is as follows:

    “The WSM MAP committee is tasked with educating and communicating with families and teachers the value of the MAP tests, the test results, and how the data is used to support our Montessori students’ education.”

    If you have any further questions after reviewing this website, please reach out to Morag Hastie at mhastie@montessoritoledo.org. For more information regarding West Side Montessori’s philosophy on assessment as a whole, please watch this video.

  • Will my child's performance impact their academic standing or cause them to be held back?

    No. Your child’s performance will have no bearing on their academic status. In particular, this initial MAP Growth assessment that they take should be seen as a baseline from which to move forward. 
    At West Side Montessori, we use MAP Growth as just another tool while we consider the whole child through observations, interactions, demonstrable knowledge, and other assessment tools. We also appreciate that each individual testing opportunity is one moment in time, on one given day, and that many factors can influence testing outcomes. This is why we prioritize growth and not absolute data points.

  • Can my child get a perfect score? Should they aim for a certain score?

    No. As a computer-adaptive assessment, MAP Growth will provide questions to assess the upper limits of your child’s skills. Every student will miss questions (as is by design for these types of assessments), and it is not possible to gain a “perfect score.” The main score from the MAP Growth assessments is the RIT score, which is a number representative of their achievement, not a score “out of” any set number.

  • What is a RIT score?

    “RIT” is an abbreviation for “Rausch Unit” and is measured on an equal interval, stable scale, like feet and inches (i.e., one inch is always one inch, and one RIT is always one RIT). The RIT scale accurately measures student performance, regardless of age, grades, or grade level. Like marking height on a growth chart and being able to see how tall a child is at various points in time, you can also see how much they have grown between assessments.
    In addition to the RIT score, a percentile measure of how the student performs in comparison to the millions of students who have taken the tests is given both for the achievement score and the growth between assessments. A student can not gain higher than the 99th percentile due to the nature of statistical analysis. A student can have a high percentile for achievement, but a low growth percentile if their RIT score does not grow between scores. Equally, a student can have a lower percentile for achievement but a high growth percentile if they make a big jump from one testing opportunity to the next.

  • Is MAP Growth a standardized assessment, and how is it different from “high-stakes” assessments?

    Unlike many standardized assessments, MAP Growth is administered periodically during the school year, and it adjusts to each student’s performance, rather than asking all students the same questions. When high-stakes assessments are talked about, it is usually in regard to an assessment designed to measure what students already know, based on what is expected at their grade level. High-stakes assessments are also often used as a way to measure grade-level proficiency.
    MAP Growth is designed to measure student achievement in the moment and growth over time, regardless of grade level, so it is quite different. The purpose of MAP Growth is to determine what the student knows and what they are ready to learn next. MAP Growth tests do a nice job of probing a student's problem-solving skills in addition to content knowledge and are a much better system for monitoring a student's academic growth than a single “high-stakes” standardized test given at the end of the academic year. 

    Teachers receive timely results from MAP Growth that show what students know and what they are ready to learn, which can be used to help inform lesson planning, support, or additional interventions.

  • How much time do students spend taking MAP Growth assessments?

    MAP Growth assessments are untimed and can be taken over multiple days if need be. Students take a range of times to complete the assessments depending on the subject matter and speed at which they work. There is no penalty for students who take longer to complete assessments.
    We offer accommodations such as small group spaces and text-to-speech. We do not have to offer “extended time” since it is an untimed assessment. If we observe a student struggling with the test for any reason, we have the option to pause the assessment and allow the student to complete it on another day. 

  • What information will I receive from the school?

    West Side Montessori will provide you with your child’s Family Report after each assessment period. This report contains information and scores from a student’s most recent and past MAP Growth assessments. For a more in-depth explanation of the Family Report, please see the Parent’s Guide to MAP Growth Family Report.
    Your child’s teachers are always available to discuss results with you for a full understanding of what the information means and can often provide more insight.

  • How do West Side Montessori and the teachers use MAP Growth scores?

    Many different reports are provided to help us use the MAP Growth information in an effective way. Teachers can see the progress of individual students as well as their class as a whole. Students with similar MAP Growth scores are generally ready for instruction in similar skills and topics, and teachers are able to use the MAP Growth results to support differentiation within their classroom.
    However, the teachers also know the students very well through observation and other assessments, and they will take the MAP Growth scores into consideration with all the other pieces of knowledge they have.

    The MAP Growth assessments are also invaluable support for determining which students will benefit from additional support from our Student Services team. 

  • Should my child study for MAP Growth assessments?

    The MAP Growth assessments are not tests that can be studied for since they are adaptive to how the student responds on the given day and there is no way to know what concepts the questions will focus on in advance. Every student will be presented with different questions and material. 

During MAP Growth Assessments

List of 10 items.

  • How much time will my child have to take a MAP Growth assessment?

    The time to take a MAP Growth assessment varies for each student. Some students will take more time while others will finish quickly. There is not a set number of questions or time expectations. We will provide as much time as is needed for a student to finish the assessment in the best testing environment possible (including breaking up the assessments over more than one session if that is best for the particular grade level or particular student).

  • What if my child rushes through or fails to try their best?

    We hope our students will put forth their best effort, and MAP Growth has built-in accountability measures to support student success. MAP Growth will automatically pause the assessment if it senses that a student is just clicking through answers or not actively engaged. If a student is flagged as rushing, a teacher or supporting adult will gently remind them to take their time and show what they really know or can figure out.
    Teachers are supplied with how long each student takes to complete each assessment in the reports. This is a good guide for teachers to know if their students have given their best on the day or not. It is common that the students who take their time and really think about each question will often do better and earn a higher RIT score. When preparing students for the MAP Growth tests, taking their time is impressed on them by their teachers.

  • Will my child need a calculator?

    No. MAP Growth will provide calculators on the screen when allowed and appropriate. Students will not be allowed to bring in calculators or use phones, smart watches, or other devices to assist them.

  • Will my child get scratch paper and pencil?

    Yes. Students will be able to write on scratch paper during their MAP Math Growth assessments and are encouraged to use the paper to work out their thinking and not try to do everything in their heads. The scratch papers are collected at the end of the testing sessions.

  • Does my child need to read any material in advance of the reading assessment?

    No. It is not content-driven, so students are not expected to have read any particular text beforehand. The assessment provides its own reading passages.

  • Will my child know if they get a problem right or wrong during the assessment?

    No. Your child will not receive immediate feedback after each question. There will not be any sounds or visual cues to let your child know whether their answer is right or wrong. MAP Growth will continue to give questions of varying difficulty to determine exactly what a student knows and is ready to learn next.

  • Will my child receive their final score immediately following the assessment?

    No. You and your child will receive an individual MAP Family Report, which will contain a RIT score and national percentiles after each assessment period. The Family Report will have all RIT data points for every MAP Growth test that your student has undertaken at West Side Montessori to allow you to see their growth over time. 

  • What if there is a technical issue?

    If your child experiences a technical issue, we will pause the assessment to investigate the issue. Potential solutions include refreshing the application, rebooting the device, providing a new device, or rescheduling the specific MAP Growth assessment.

  • What if my child misses a day of assessments?

    If your child misses a day of assessment, we will reschedule.

  • Will my child be given accommodations?

    At West Side Montessori we are able to offer testing accommodations for students such as small group pull-out rooms, text-to-speech, and testing breaks. If your child has a 504 Plan with these accommodations stipulated, they will be given. In some instances, even if your child doesn’t have a 504 Plan, but the teachers know that your child would benefit from, say, a room with fewer distractions or people (due to observed test anxiety, for example), then we will endeavor to support in any way we are able. It is our goal to facilitate your child being able to do their best on each testing opportunity.

Preparing for MAP Growth Assessments

There is nothing families need "to do" in preparation for a MAP Growth assessment. We encourage families to follow the child – provide the level of support they need to feel successful. Students and families will know in advance when the MAP Growth tests are happening for your student at each program level. The different levels test on different days/weeks, so if you have children in say Lower Elementary and Middle School, they will take the assessments scheduled depending on when works best for their program. 

If you'd like to provide a strong framework for your child before and during an assessment, we have these tips:

The Night Before
  • Relax and have fun.
  • Enjoy a healthy snack an hour before bedtime.
  • Get a good night's sleep.

The Morning of the Assessment
  • Fill up on healthy, complex carbs and protein.
    • Slow-release carbohydrates, like oatmeal, whole grain bread, and fresh fruit with a low glycemic index, help provide consistent energy levels throughout the morning.
    • Proteins such as milk, yogurt, or eggs keep students feeling full and can lead to greater mental alertness.
  • Prepare and bring a healthy mid-morning snack to school.
  • Arrive at school on time – no later than 8:30 a.m.
  • Connect with a friend or teacher if you have pre-assessment jitters.

During the Assessment
  • Take three deep breaths.
  • If you don't know the answer, and can’t puzzle it out after you’ve given it some thought, give your best guess and move on. Remember, the test is designed so that you won’t be able to answer every question easily.

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West Side Montessori is an independent, accredited Montessori school educating children 13 months through 8th grade (preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, and middle school). We are one of the leading private schools in Toledo and the nation.

WSM does not discriminate on the basis of ethnic origin, race, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability in the administration of its admission policy, educational policy, or any school-administered program.