End-of –year Assessments MAP and DRA Testing Workshop for Parents PTA Coffee May 23, 2013 End-of –year Assessments MAP and DRA Testing Workshop for Parents

Terms Achievement Test - A test that measures the extent to which a person has "achieved" something, acquired certain information, or mastered certain skills - usually as a result of planned instruction or training. RIT - Rasch Unit, honoring George Rasch, the Danish mathematician who developed the underlying theory for this type of measurement. The RIT Scale is a curriculum scale developed by NWEA that uses the individual item difficulty values to estimate student achievement. Advantages to the RIT Scale are that it can relate the numbers on the scale directly to the difficulty of items on the tests and it is equal interval. Equal interval means that the difference between scores is the same regardless of whether a student is at the top, bottom or middle of the RIT Scale, and it has the same meaning regardless of grade level. RIT to Reading Range - A score resulting from a correlation between NWEA’s RIT score and the Lexile® scale, a measure defined by MetaMetrics® that helps identify reading material that is at an appropriate difficulty level for an individual student. When a student reads material within his or her RIT to Reading Range, that student should read with 75% comprehension. Lexile is a registered trademark of MetaMetrics, Inc. NWEA is neither affiliated nor associated with MetaMetrics, Inc. Standardized Test (standard test) - A test designed to provide a systematic sample of individual performance, administered according to prescribed directions, scored in conformance with definite rules, and interpreted in reference to certain normative information. Some would further restrict the usage of the term "standardized" to those tests for which the tests have been chosen on the basis of experimental evaluation, and for which data on reliability and validity are provided. Others would add "commercially published" and/or for "general use".

Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Global organization (Portland, OR) Provide research-based adaptive assessments Professional development Research services Purpose: Helps educators make informed decisions to promote academic growth

What is MAP? Computerized adaptive tests Measures of Academic Progress Level of difficulty is increased with each correct answer Grades 3, 4 and 5 Reading Language Usage Math

Adaptive nature of MAP Adjusts to student’s ability level Correct responses lead to more difficult questions Incorrect responses are followed by easier items Advantages: Score available immediately, potential reduction in test anxiety, test security increased, accurate scores across a wide range of abilities

Why are there score ranges? Note: Scores from any test are estimates of performance. Multiple data points provide a comprehensive view of actual performance No less than 3 points of data should ever be used to make important decisions. If the student were to take the test relatively soon, the score is likely to fall within the same range

Percentile vs. Percent correct Percentile ranking represents how well a student performs compared to other students in a nationwide norm sample for their age. Example: 35th percentile does not mean 35 % of the items are correct 35th percentile : The student scored as well as, or better than 35% of students in the same grade norm group.

International School Scores MAP Int’l School Report 154, 000 students 248 schools 94 countries Terms: 2008, 2009, 2010 Grade level Math Reading Language 3rd 207/203 203/198 206/201 4th 222/212 211/205 212/208 5th 229/220 216/211 218/213 Source: NWEA www.nwea.org 503-624-1951

Proficiency Projections NWEA has conducted Alignment Studies in states where significant numbers of students have taken MAP By comparing scores of the same students on each test, a correlation can be calculated. NWEA can establish RIT cut scores for levels of proficiency on state assessment based upon the scores on MAP assessments.

Individual vs. Group Reports Both allow us to analyze growth data relative to growth norms and proficiency benchmarks Evaluate areas of strength, set goals. Reports guide instruction and inform decision-making across the district and/or nationally Individual reports help identify areas of strength or growth Parent/teacher conferences Student-led conferences and set goals

Student Experience with the Test Approximately an hour to complete each test Administered at the beginning and end of the school year. (Growth index) Different tests are administered at different times.

How are the data used? Measures students’ progress and growth in basic skills Reveals strengths and areas for attention Teachers track progress, areas of strength, areas where help is needed Informs teachers where adjustments in the curriculum should be made

What is the Lexile Framework for Reading? Unit of measuring text difficulty It is linked to the RIT score Range is 10L to 1700L Ex: Green Eggs and Ham- 30L, Jurassic Park 710L, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets 940L, The Good Earth 1530.

Reading the Report What do you notice? What could be some possible factors to the direction of the growth chart? If this were your child, what questions arise?

Things to Consider Time of day the test was administered Amount of test preparation Compare these results to other assessments; Does this result reflect the work that comes home? Review reports considering feedback from teacher conferences

Tip for Parents: Ways to Prepare for Testing Communicate regularly with the teacher to discuss progress Establish a daily study routine in a quiet, comfortable place at home Provide books and magazines for your child Establish a culture of reading at home that includes your reading with your child

Tips: Ways to Support Language Encourage conversation during family activities Have your child explain events after reading Have a “word of the week” and encourage your child to use new words Have your child help plan and write a menu Give a journal or diary as a gift

Tips: Supporting Reading Plan visits to the library and book store Play word games; Scrabble, Spill and Spell, etc. Do word crossword puzzles with your child Establish a culture and expectation for reading in the home. Involve all family members.

Tips: Supporting Math Encourage children to solve problems on their own Use household activities as an opportunity to practice measurement, grouping and dividing Point out ways for children to use math in everyday activities; paying bills, making change, tipping at the restaurant, etc.