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MAP Learning Continuum
The purpose of the MAP Learning Continuum is to help guide instruction based on reports from computerized Measure of Academic Progress (MAP). The Learning Continuum enhances a teacher’s ability to provide targeted instruction for individual students or groups of students. The MAP Learning Continuum is aligned to the SC Curriculum Standards for mathematics and English language arts.
The Learning Continuum creates one continuous document representing skills and concepts as they progress in difficulty. The Learning Continuum contains separate sections for each subject (mathematics, reading, and language usage). Within each subject are the main goal strands.
Given a student’s (RIT) achievement score (e.g. a mathematics RIT score of 187), teachers identify the portion of the Learning Continuum (e.g. mathematics RIT scores between 181-190) that represents the child’s instructional level. The skills and concepts listed at RIT ranges below that should be ones the student knows and has mastered.
A teacher uses the student’s overall RIT score as the starting place, then finds the appropriate RIT band within each goal area. As the teacher works on specific goals, he/she can use the Learning Continuum as a guide to watch for differences in students’ achievement levels.
These RIT bands can be helpful in preparing for flexible small group instruction within a classroom. By putting students together who have similar instructional needs, a teacher can better meet the needs of all students. The goal is to create maximum growth for all students. As students master the skills and concepts within a RIT band, they can be shifted to another flexible group.
MAP Questions & Answers
What are Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)?
MAP are a series of tests that measure your student's general knowledge in reading, language usage, and math. Your student may take MAP beginning in second grade and again every year in September, December, and March through grade nine and perhaps in other years at high school.
What are Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Used For?
They measure your student's progress or growth in school. You may have a chart in your home on which you mark your child's height at certain times -such as on their birthday. This is a growth chart. It shows how they've grown from one year to the next. MAP does the same thing, except the tests measure your student's growth in reading, language usage, and math skills.
How Do the Tests Measure Growth in Learning?
MAP uses scores to measure growth. Scores depend on two things: how many questions are answered correctly and the difficulty of each question.
What Do the Tests Cover?
Each MAP is made up of parts, which are called goals. There are goals for each of the three areas - reading, language usage, and mathematics. Your student will take tests with goals that are similar to the following:
Reading - Word Meaning, LIteral Comprehension, Inferential Comprehension, and
Evaluative Comprehension
Language Usage - Writing Process, Grammar and Usage, and Punctuation and
Capitalization
Mathematics - Estimation and Computation; Number Sense; Geometry and Spatial
Sense; Measurement; Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability; Patterns,
Functions, and Algebra: and Problem Solving
When you, your student, and your student's teacher look at MAP results, it may become apparent that certain goals need more attention than others.
Do All Students Take the Same Test?
Yes and no. All students take a computerized reading, language usage, and math test. Although every test has questions covering the same goal areas, not every test has the same questions, and the test questions vary in difficulty.
In a computerized adaptive test, the difficulty of the test is adjusted to the student's performance so each student sees different test questions. The difficulty of each question is based on how well the student has answered the questions up to that point. As the student answers correctly, the questions become more difficult. If the student answers incorrectly, the questions become easier.
How Important are the Tests to Students and to Teachers?
These tests are important because they keep track of progress or growth in the areas of reading, language, and math. Teachers are aware of students' strengths and areas in need of attention. MAP is another tool to monitor student progress along with classwork, other tests, and assigned projects.
Can Your Student Prepare for MAP?
The best thing your student can do to prepare for testing is to work hard in school everyday. Regular attendance, good nutrition, and adequate rest are also important components for a successful student.
Parent Information about MAP
MAP measures your child's academic growth from year to year in the areas of
mathematics, reading, and language usage. In the MAP system, the difficulty of
the test is adjusted to the student's performance. The difficulty of each
question is based on how well the student has answered all of the questions up
to that point. As the student answers correctly, the questions become more
difficult. If the student answers incorrectly, the questions become easier.
Within an optimal test, the students answers approximately half of the items
correctly and half incorrectly. The final score is an estimate of the student's
achievement level.
MAP tests are aligned with the South Carolina standards. They cover goals within
each student area. MAP test reports provide information for each goal in each
subject. This enables teachers to recognize areas where your student needs help.
Measures
of Academic Progress (MAP)