MAP Growth is a computer adaptive test created by NWEA that kids take two to three times per school year. The results provide teachers with information to help them deliver appropriate content for each student and determine each student’s academic growth over time.

Computer adaptive tests adjust to each student’s learning level, providing a unique set of test questions based on their responses to previous questions. As the student responds to questions, the test responds to the student, adjusting up or down in difficulty.

MAP Growth is used to measure a student’s performance level at different times of the school year and compute their academic growth.

After each MAP Growth test, results are delivered in the form of a RIT score that reflects the student’s academic knowledge, skills, and abilities. Think of this score like marking height on a growth chart. You can tell how tall your child is at various points in time and how much they have grown between one stage and another.

The RIT (Rasch Unit) scale is a stable, equal-interval scale. Equal-interval means that a change of 10 RIT points indicates the same thing regardless of whether a student is at the top, bottom, or middle of the scale, and a RIT score has the same meaning regardless of grade level or age of the student. You can compare scores over time to tell how much growth a student has made.

MAP Growth helps schools and teachers know what your child is ready to learn at any point in time. Teachers can see the progress of individual students and of their class as a whole. Principals and administrators can see the progress of a grade level, school, or the entire district.

Since students with similar MAP Growth scores are generally ready for instruction in similar skills and topics, it makes it easier for teachers to plan instruction. MAP Growth also provides typical growth data for students who are in the same grade, subject, and have the same starting performance level. This data is often used to help students set goals and understand what they need to learn to achieve their goals.

Yes. Just as a doctor has a chart showing the most common heights of people at certain ages, NWEA researchers have examined the scores of millions of students and put together charts showing the median RIT scores for students at various grade levels.

Note that MAP Growth scores are just one data point that teachers use to determine how a student is performing. Please discuss any questions that you have about your child’s performance with your child’s teacher.

There are MAP Growth tests for grades 2 – 12 in reading, language usage, math, and science.

There are also primary grades tests for grades K – 2, referred to as MAP Growth K-2, in reading and math. With these child-friendly tests for young learners, students wear headphones, since many questions include audio to assist those who are still learning to read.

Most schools give MAP Growth tests to students at the beginning, middle, and end of the school year. This year, DPS is doing administrations in September, November and March.

MAP Growth tests are interim assessments, which means they may be given periodically during the year. It is based on the same standards as the summative (“high-stakes” or state) tests, so they measure similar content. Teachers receive immediate results with MAP Growth that show what students know and what they are ready to learn. The results can be used to help personalize lessons at the appropriate level for the students.

Most state or high-stakes tests measure what students already know—based on what is expected at their grade level—and are typically given at the end of the school year as a way to measure grade-level proficiency.

Most schools will provide your child’s Student Progress Report, which contains information and scores from your child’s most recent and past MAP Growth tests. A simplified sample report with definitions and explanations is included on the last page of this document to help you better understand how to read and interpret the report.

Ask your child’s school or teacher about your child’s test results and what more you can do to help your child achieve their academic goals.

Due to privacy laws regarding student information (specifically stemming from the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act [FERPA]), NWEA is unable to discuss any student information, test results, or school assessment programs directly with parents, guardians, or other family members.