Getting Started with NWEA
Prepare for your first testing season.
After your district is licensed to use MAP tests, an NWEA Partner Relations Representative will work with you to ensure a successful implementation. Use this checklist as a guide to plan training and prepare for administering tests.
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Form Your MAP Team
After your district is licensed to use MAP and your Partner Relations Representative has contacted you, complete the MAP Team Registration Form below to begin the test implementation process.
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Set up the Network Test Environment (NTE) Admin 2 software
Once your District MAP Team has been established, you'll begin by getting ready to take sample assessments. Start by setting up NTE Admin 2 on a Windows-based computer with both Internet and local network access. The NTE Admin 2 computer should be in a location that can be accessed by the MAP Coordinator, CRF Coordinator and the Technical Coordinator.
Please note: Accessing NTE Admin 2 for training purposes requires a specific training user name and password. The training user name and password are included in an email sent to your District MAP Coordinator; these credentials are different from your district-specific logins because they provide access to sample, anonymized data. If you have questions about the training user name and password, contact your Partner Relations Representative.
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Set up the MAP Test Administration Application (MAP TAA)
In order to add missing students and modify class assignments as needed during testing, you will also need to set up the MAP Test Administration Application (TAA). To do so, locate a Windows-based computer with both Internet and local network access. The MAP TAA computer should be in a location that can be accessed by the MAP Coordinator, CRF Coordinator, Technical Coordinator, and proctors.
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Configure Your Internet Browsers
To take advantage of all of the features of the MAP Test Administration Application (MAP TAA), you must first verify a few specific settings within Microsoft Internet Explorer. Configure your browser appropriately using the following steps.
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Create your Local Training Environment Folder
Now that you've set up the MAP Test Administration Application, you're ready to create a sample MAP testing environment. Your training environment will exist as a shared folder on your network. Begin by creating this folder using these steps.
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Set Up Your Training Environment with Sample Data
Your training environment folder will be a sample version of a MAP testing database using an anonymous school's data. This folder, referred to as the Network Test Environment (NTE) folder, contains three data components: School/District Data, Student Data, and Test Packages. Use the following steps to download the sample versions of these components into your training environment folder.
Please note: the training environment folder will be used during your on-site MAP Administration Training.
Important note for MAP for Primary Grades Users: if your district uses MAP for Primary Grades Assessments, the MAP for Primary Grades Audio Files will need to be downloaded as well. Click here for more information on how to complete this task.
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Install MAP TestTaker
Once you've set up your training environment folder, you're ready to install MAP TestTaker, the software students will be using to take MAP assessments. MAP TestTaker can be installed on a Windows server or on any individual testing workstations; if you install on a server, the application must be accessible by all of the computers in your testing labs.
Please note: MAP TestTaker is available for local installation in both Windows and Macintosh environments; however, server-side installations are limited to Windows environments. Macintosh machines must install MAP TestTaker locally.
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Administer Sample Tests and Verify Your Technical Readiness
Now that your training environment is complete, you're ready to take sample MAP tests. This will give you and your staff an opportunity to experience MAP as well as communicate to NWEA that you are ready for your first testing season.
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Schedule Your MAP Implementation Call
After you've completed your sample assessments and sent in a screenshot of a completed test, your Partner Relations Representative will schedule a call with your District MAP Coordinator. Please have a speaker phone and Internet access available during the call.
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Verify Reception of NWEA Email
As you prepare for your first testing season, it's important to make sure that you're able to continually receive relevant information from NWEA. NWEA sends informational emails to share pertinent, time-sensitive information related to administering NWEA products and services. In addition, informational notices about new products, services, and resources as well as relevant assessment subjects may be shared. Take the following steps to ensure your MAP personnel receive the appropriate communications from NWEA.
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Take NWEA Online Trainings
NWEA's online trainings provide easy-to-understand overviews about different aspects of MAP assessments. These trainings, particularly "Preparing for Training: An Overview for Leadership," should be completed prior to attending your MAP Administration workshop.
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Schedule an On-Site MAP Administration Training
The MAP Administration Training is an on-site workshop designed to prepare and support your staff for implementation of MAP tests, accessing reports, and using the data to influence instruction.
For detailed information about what you will learn, who should attend, and how to prepare for your training, please access the MAP Administration Overview.
With staff and students sufficiently prepared, your district is ready to administer its first testing season!
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