How to use End-of-Course Upper-Level Mathematics to measure growth

The Math 6+ and NWEA End-Of-Course Math tests use the same, unidimensional scale. However, the End-Of-Course Math tests in Algebra and Geometry only measure one strand, whereas the 6+ test measures 5 to 7 strands, depending on your state standards. These differences often unnecessarily complicate understanding of what growth in math means when moving from the Math 6+ test to the End-Of-Course Math tests.

In order to understand what growth in math means, we need to compare two scores for a student. The first is the student’s score from a test that is appropriate given the student’s level of instruction in the content domain of interest; the 6+ test. The second is the student’s score from another appropriate (but somewhat more difficult) test that corresponds to the difficulty of the content of instruction in the same domain; the End-Of-Course test.

Both tests are part of the same domain and both are tied to the same scale. Both are administered following appropriate instruction and both are comprised of content that was covered in instruction. These are two very good estimates of the student’s achievement in math. It is, therefore, entirely appropriate and defensible to determine change by subtracting the (overall) Math 6+ RIT from the End-Of-Course Math RIT.