MAP testing explained

Our students in Kindergarten to Grade 10 complete MAP tests, which stands for Measure of Academic Progress Tests, in three subjects: math, language, and reading, three times a year.

Learn more about MAP testing from our Principal of Teaching and Learning, Mr. Sarasalejo, as provides his insights into this testing process.

What is MAP Testing?

“MAP Testing is a criterion reference assessment,” says the Principal of Teaching and Learning, Mr. Emmanuel Sarsalejo.

“It means that students are assessed against the standards, not against each other.”

Mr. Sarsalejo says while there is no ranking of students, each student is individually assessed to confirm if they have achieved the standards and at what level.

Globally, 9,500 districts are implementing MAP Tests due to their positive influences on schools.

MAP Testing is computer-generated, so questions adjust according to a student’s skill and understanding. If a student is successful in answering a question, the following question will be more difficult to evaluate where the student does well and where they struggle.

“The question is getting harder and harder as the student progresses through the time allocated, and if the student is not able to answer the question, then the computer will adjust, throwing or prompting probably a simpler question.”

How does MAP Testing help teachers and students?

Seeing the progression or regression of students’ understanding allows teachers, TIS, and LifePlus schools to take into consideration needed practices and emphasis in subjects where support is needed in the classroom.

MAP Test results will graph how students’ skills have improved or fallen, starting from their first test to their most recent.

“To measure that, there’s what we call a RIT scale,” which is a numerical score to track students’ growth.

MAP Testing aligns with TIS’s curriculum standards, such as America Education Reaches Out or AERO.

What if my child misses a test day or struggles to take the test?

If a student misses a day of testing, they will have the opportunity to make it up if it is within the testing window. The 15-day testing window is allocated to make sure all students complete each scheduled test.

Mr. Sarsalejo explains classes will complete tests together. Students who require additional support will be proctored by Learning Support teachers.

“Ideally, we would like to make it comfortable and doable, not so stressful, for students. It’s not supposed to be stressful."

When will MAP Tests happen again, and what do I need to prepare for my child?

MAP Tests take place three times a year: in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. Keeping the tests on a regular basis, again, helps to track students’ academic achievements.

For the remaining tests during the Fall and the upcoming tests in Winter and Spring, there is one important key students need to bring, which will help them to succeed.

“They need to have the proper attitude when taking the test,” says Mr. Sarsalejo. “Some students are aware that this will not affect their grades… but if you are a parent, or you are a student, who is conscious or keen to know your progress,” it is imperative to have a proper attitude.

Mr. Sarsalejo also reminds the student body that MAP Testing detects rapid guessing and will suspend tests until a teacher evaluates them and permits students to continue.

When will I receive my child’s results?

Parents will receive student’s results two weeks after the final test. They can be viewed on PowerSchool inside a student’s Docbox.

“As a school,” Mr. Sarsalejo says, “we want to make sure that students are achieving the standards and reaching the standards.”