School officials regularly use school-aggregate test scores to monitor school performance and make policy decisions. In this report, RAND researchers investigate one specific issue that may contaminate utilization of COVID-19–era school-aggregate scores and result in faulty comparisons with historical and other proximal aggregate scores: changes in school composition over time. To investigate this issue, they examine data from NWEA’s MAP Growth assessments, interim assessments used by states and districts during the 2020–2021 school year.
By: Jonathan Schweig, Megan Kuhfeld, Andrew McEachin, Melissa Diliberti, Louis Mariano
Topics: COVID-19 & schools, Measurement & scaling
MAP Growth item parameter drift study
This report documents the results of an item parameter drift study designed to check the parameter stability of MAP Growth items.
By: Wei He
Products: MAP Growth
Topics: Computer adaptive testing
Estimating and comparing growth using longitudinal interim achievement data with seasonal trends
This study presents a statistical model motivated by the seasonal character of interim achievement data and analyses aimed at reducing barriers to the generation of empirical benchmarks for repeated measures achievement data.
By: James Soland, Yeow Meng Thum
Achievement and growth for English Learners
This study reports achievement and growth from kindergarten to 4th grade for three groups of English Learners. The findings suggest summer support is required to help ELs maintain and develop academic skills.
By: Angela Johnson
Topics: Equity, English Language Learners, Seasonal learning patterns & summer loss
What do teachers know about dyslexia? It’s complicated!
The purpose of this study was to examine the concepts of dyslexia teachers know accurately as scientific conceptions, hold as misconceptions, or are uncertain. Implications for teacher training in dyslexia are discussed.
By: Erin K. Washburn, Benjamin C. Heddy, Emily Binks-Cantrell, Tiffany Peltier
Topics: Equity, Reading & language arts
Bayesian uncertainty estimation for Gaussian graphical models and centrality indices
This study compares estimation of symptom networks with Bayesian GLASSO- and Horseshoe priors to estimation using the frequentist GLASSO using extensive simulations.
By: Joran Jongerling, Sacha Epskamp, Donald Williams
Topics: Measurement & scaling
The MAP Growth theory of action describes key features of MAP Growth and its position in a comprehensive assessment system.
By: Patrick Meyer, Michael Dahlin
Products: MAP Growth
Topics: Equity, Measurement & scaling, Test design