This comprehensive technical report documents the design, development, and validation of MAP Growth Course-Specific assessments for the 2024–2025 school year. It presents evidence of psychometric quality, including adaptive testing methods, reliability, validity, fairness, and score interpretation across grades and courses.

Using a case study from a U.S. school district, this research brief examines the practices and conditions of a coherent instructional system, and where and how it had the most impact. It offers a practical model that leaders can adapt in their own schools to help strengthen instruction across classrooms.

This is the technical appendix to the research brief, “The Power of Connectedness: A Case for a Coherent Instructional System for Reading and Science Improvement,” which examines the practices and conditions of a coherent instructional system, and where and how it had the most impact.

Using data from the MAP Growth National Dashboard, this Trends Snapshot report focuses on academic growth trends post-COVID and points to a positive turn for U.S. reading after years of stagnation. This positive trend was also noted for historically underserved groups who showed the largest reading gains from 2025 to 2026.

This technical report presents achievement and growth norms for Spanish MAP Reading Fluency Foundational Skills (grades K–3), enabling educators to interpret student performance and progress in early literacy domains relative to national peer groups.

This research brief examines whether taking Algebra in 8th grade instead of 9th grade improves student outcomes. Using a nationwide sample of MAP Growth scores for middle schoolers, NWEA researchers looked at how many students who were ready for Algebra actually enrolled, and how outcomes were affected for students who were or were not ready for the course.

This is the technical appendix to the research brief, “Getting Algebra Placement Right: Expanding Opportunity and Strengthening Preparation,” which examines whether taking Algebra in 8th grade instead of 9th grade improves student outcomes.