MAP for Primary Grades

Overview

The assessments available in the MAP for Primary Grades system include Early Literacy and Early Numeracy Screening (diagnostic) tests, Skills Checklist (diagnostic) tests, and Survey with Goals (adaptive) tests in Reading and Mathematics.

These assessments:

• Provide teachers with an efficient way to assess achievement levels of early learners so they can spend more time teaching and less time administering individual diagnostic tests.
• Provide information to guide instruction during the early stages of a student's academic career. Early learners enter school with a wide variety of educational experiences. Early identification of achievement levels is foundational for teachers establishing an environment for early academic success.
• Identify the needs of all primary grades students, from struggling to advanced learners.
• Utilize engaging test items that encourage student participation for more accurate results.

Features

MAP for Primary Grades tests meet the unique needs of early learners by utilizing advanced technology to display interactive visuals and audio for beginning readers. For example, the computer automatically plays audio instructions to the student, eliminating the challenges of early learners who cannot read. Students only need to be able to click a mouse to perform an action; there is no need to hold the mouse button down while moving it.

Screening Tests

Diagnostic tests with results reported in both percent and number correct

Measure the foundational skills of letter and number understanding.

Include one Reading test that covers letter recognition, sounds, and concepts of print.

Include one Mathematics test that covers concepts of numbers.

Skills Checklist Tests

Diagnostic tests with results reported in both percent and number correct

Extend student assessment beyond the Early Literacy and Early Nurmeracy Screening test and are used to inform instruction.

Allow the teacher to select specific Skills Checklist tests based on the desired content focus and sequence.

Include ten Reading tests which cover phonological awareness (four tests) phonics (five tests) and (one test) in upper and lower case letter recognition.

Include twenty-eight Mathematics tests which cover number sense (thirteen tests) and computation (fifteen tests).

Survey with Goals Tests

Adaptive tests with results reported in RIT scores

Adapt to the student's performance level.

Provide both an overall RIT score and goal score ranges to aid in the identification of a student's instructional levels.

Allow academic growth to be measured beginning as early as pre-kindergarten through the high school years when the two Reading tests are combined, or the two Math tests are combined.

Include two Reading tests which cover (1) phonological awareness, phonics, and concepts of print and (2) vocabulary and word structure, comprehension, and writing.

Include two Mathematics tests which cover (1) problem solving, number sense, and computation and (2) measurement and geometry, statistics and probability, and algebra.

Practical Application

MAP for Primary Grades tests provide meaningful instructional information prior to the third grade, allowing student and teacher time to be used economically and effectively.

The Early Literacy and Early Nurmeracy Screening (diagnostic) tests provide a quick reference for gauging student readiness for reading and mathematics instruction and placing new kindergarten or first grade students in instructional programs.

The Skills Checklist (diagnostic) tests focus on specific reading and mathematical skills. These tests provide teachers with a way to continually assess student's achievement relative to the skills of phonological awareness, phonics, number sense, and computation

The Survey with Goals (adaptive) tests produce immediate overall scores, as well as scores within each goal area. With this information, teachers can begin grouping students based on their instructional needs.

FAQ

What tests are included?

There are two Screening (diagnostic) tests developed for students at the earliest stages (particularly kindergarten) of learning reading and mathematics which measure the foundational skills of letter and number understanding.

There are ten Skills Checklist (diagnostic) Reading tests and twenty-eight Skills Checklist (diagnostic) Mathematics tests. These tests extend student assessment beyond the Screening tests and are used to inform instruction relative to the skills of phonological awareness, phonics, number sense, and computation.

There are four Survey with Goals (adaptive) tests available: two Reading and two Mathematics tests.

What goal areas are covered by the Survey with Goals (adaptive) tests?

The Reading tests cover phonological awareness, phonics, concepts of print, vocabulary and word structure, comprehension, and writing.

The Mathematics tests cover problem solving, number sense, computation, measurement and geometry, statistics and probability, and algebra.

How often can I test my students?

The Screening and Skills Checklist (diagnostic) tests may be administered as often as is useful.

You may test your students three times a year using the Survey with Goals (adaptive) tests.

Is student growth reported?

Yes, administering both Reading survey with goals tests within a 28-day calendar period produces a combined test event that is used to measure growth. The same applies to both Mathematics survey with goals tests.

What reports are available?

The following reports are available for MAP for Primary Grades Survey with Goals tests:

• Teacher report
• Online Student Progress report
• Administrative reports including the Students Not Rostered, Students Not Assigned, and Students Not Tested reports
• Class by RIT and Class by Goal reports
• Class report
• Grade report
• School and District Summary reports
• School and District Growth Summary Reports
• Dynamic Reporting Suite of reports

The following reports are available online for the MAP for Primary Grades Screening and Skills Checklist tests:

• MAP for Primary Grades – Teacher Report
• MAP for Primary Grades – Sub-skill Performance Report
• MAP for Primary Grades – Student Report

Where do I find DesCartes for Primary Grades?

Instead of updating DesCartes, we’ve provided more detailed curriculum guidance tool called Primary Grades Instructional Data. You’ll find it on our Reports site.

What are the minimum technical requirements for administering MAP for Primary Grades?

View the MAP for Primary Grades - Technical Requirements and Setup

Is special equipment needed to implement these assessments?

Yes, headphones and a sound card will be needed for each computer used for testing.

What kind of interactive technology is used in these assessments?

Interactive visuals and audio for beginning readers are among the interactive technologies that are used in the MAP for Primary Grades assessments. See Test Warm-up for more details.

What grades should be tested with these assessments?

Kindergarten, first and second grades are appropriate places to utilize these assessments. They may also be used for some pre-kindergarten students and at higher grades for evaluating specific needs for intervention.