Overview

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) utilizes the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) as a universal screener three times a year – Fall, Winter, and Spring. MAP Growth provides assistance in identifying areas of growth based upon your child’s individual needs. Additionally, in an effort to improve teaching and learning, NWEA’s MAP Growth allows teachers and students the opportunity to set goals and track individual student growth throughout the school year.
For the 2020-2021 school year, the district test administration windows are as follows:

  • FALL MAP ADMINISTRATION WINDOW: September 21, 2020 – November 11, 2020
  • WINTER MAP ADMINISTRATION WINDOW: January 4, 2021 – February 26, 2021
  • SPRING MAP ADMINISTRATION WINDOW: April 12, 2021 – May 27, 2021

All students in grades K – 10 will be administered the MAP Growth assessment. The chart below outlines what MAP Growth assessment your child will be administered during each test administration window:

Student Groups MAP Test Content
  • Kindergarten
  • 1st Grade
  • 2nd Grade
  • MAP Growth Reading K-2
  • MAP Growth Math K-2
  • 3rd Grade
  • 4th Grade
  • 5th Grade
  • MAP Growth Reading 2-5
  • MAP Growth Math 2-5
  • MAP Growth Language 2-5
  • MAP Growth Science 2-5
  • 6th Grade
  • 7th Grade
  • 8th Grade
  • MAP Growth Reading 6+
  • MAP Growth Math 6+
  • MAP Growth Language 2-12
  • MAP Growth Science 6+
  • 9th Grade
  • 10th Grade
  • MAP Growth Reading 6+
  • MAP Growth Math 6+
  • MAP Growth Language 2-12

The information below provides an overview of MAP Growth and will be helpful to you as you prepare your child for each test administration.

MAP Growth is a computer adaptive test, which means every student gets a unique set of test questions based on responses to previous questions. As the student answers correctly, questions get harder. If the student answers incorrectly, the questions get easier. By the end of the test, most students will answer about half the questions correctly.

MAP results are provided as a numerical RIT score. This score is used to measure a student’s achievement level at different times of the school year and determine growth. Think of this like marking height on a growth chart. You can tell how tall your child is at various points in time and how much they have grown between one time and another.

The RIT (Rasch Unit) scale is a stable, equal-interval scale, like feet and inches. Equal-interval means that a change of 10 RIT points indicates the same thing regardless of whether a student is at the top, bottom, or middle of the scale, and a RIT score has the same meaning regardless of grade level or age of the student. Scores over time can be compared to tell how much academic growth a student has made, similar to measuring height with a ruler.

Teachers can see the progress of individual students and of their class as a whole. Students with similar MAP Growth scores are generally ready for instruction in similar skills and topics. MAP also provides data around the typical growth for students who are in the same grade, subject, and have the same starting achievement level. This data is often used to help students set goals and understand what they need to learn to achieve their goals.

Tests are not timed, and students may take as much time as they need to complete them. Most students take less than an hour to complete a MAP Growth test. The tests given in Kindergarten and 1st grade typically last a shorter time. MAP Growth tests will be given to students in August, December and March.

You will be provided with your child’s Student Progress Report. This report contains information and scores from your child’s most recent and past MAP Growth tests.

Your child’s teacher will help with any pre-test instructions to explain the test to the students. Just like any school day, make sure your child is well-rested and fed with a well-rounded diet. Encourage them to do their best. This is not a high stakes test but a tool used to measure what a student knows and still needs to learn.

You will be provided additional information throughout the school year as student data is available. Should you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact your school for more information.

2020 Fall Remote MAP GROWTH Parent Information & Resources

female student smiles while looking at laptopAs the DeKalb County School District begins the school year virtually, the 2020 Fall MAP Growth assessment will be administered remotely. Should a learning environment shift occur during the Fall MAP test window, students will be administered the Fall MAP test either in a remote or face to face test environment. Please note that no matter the learning or test environment, all students will be afforded the opportunity to participate in the Fall MAP test administration.

There are several resources available to help support your child during the Fall Remote MAP Growth administration window. These resources are organized in the following categories:

The MAP Quick Start Parent Guide and video will assist parents with navigating through the NWEA Family Toolkit. The Family Toolkit provides parents with an overview of how to prepare for the MAP Growth assessment at home.

The MAP Quick Start Student Guide and video will assist the parent and student with accessing tools that will be useful in preparing for the MAP Growth test such as the practice test.

Students can access the Fall Remote MAP Growth assessment using a
DeKalb County School District (DCSD) issued chromebook or personal
computer. The following guides, visuals, and videos provide parents visual and auditory directions on how to access the Fall Remote MAP Growth assessment using a DCSD or personal computer.

Access Remote Fall MAP Growth using a DCSD Chromebook

Access Remote Fall MAP Growth Using Personal Computer

By reviewing the link below, parents will understand how to appropriately support their child(ren) during the Remote Fall MAP Growth test.

There may be times when the teacher can help students navigate to the appropriate location for testing. The document below illustrations how to provide the teacher access to your child’s computer for assistance.

2020 Fall Remote MAP Parent Assurances

DCSD Student Chromebook Support

Support for a DCSD Chromebook is available by contacting the DCSD Chromebook Support Team at chromebooksupport@dekalbschoolsga.org.

When contacting the DCSD Chromebook Support Team, please include the following information in your email:

  • Parent/Guardian Full Name
  • Student Full Name
  • Student Home School
  • Student Chromebook Issue
  • Parent/Guardian Email Address