Severe weather events are no longer isolated anomalies. They are becoming a regular part of the school year in communities across the country. This brief highlights how severe weather events can cause deep and lasting disruptions to student learning and well-being, often in ways that far exceed the immediate days schools are closed. It also makes clear that while some communities are disproportionately at risk, no school is immune.

MAP Growth norms work best when paired with a teacher’s knowledge of individual students, available resources, and instructional priorities.

When paired with additional evidence, the 2025 MAP Growth norms can help educators ask valuable questions, set goals, and support growth.

Following COVID-19 school closures, educators have been helping students make academic gains. Family engagement can contribute to recovery.

The 2025 MAP Growth norms account for COVID-19 interruptions to learning and provide a more accurate view into how students are doing today.

The 2025 norms update addresses several critical factors: evolving U.S. student demographics, documented shifts in academic performance following the COVID-19 pandemic, and the item-selection algorithm in the newly enhanced MAP® Growth™.

Understanding standard error of measurement can help you select an assessment designed to track student progress over time.