What are Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)?
Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) are computerized adaptive tests that measure your student's general knowledge in reading, language usage, and mathematics. Your student will take MAP beginning in second grade and again every year through grade 7.

Do All Students Take the Same Test?
Yes and no. All students take a computerized reading and mathematics test. Although every test has questions covering the same goal areas, not every test has the same questions, and the test questions vary in difficulty.

In a computerized adaptive test, the difficulty of the test is adjusted to the student's performance so each student sees different test questions. The difficulty of each question is based on how well the student has answered the questions up to that point. As the student answers correctly, the questions become more difficult. If the student answers incorrectly, the questions become easier.

What Do the Tests Cover?
Each Measure of Academic Progress is made up of parts, which are called goals. Take a look at these goal areas for each test. Your student will take tests with the goals listed below.

Reading

	Word Analysis/Vocabulary
	Reading Strategies/Comprehension
	Literature
	Literary Works

Mathematics

	Number Sense
	Measurement
	Algebra
	Geometry
	Data Analysis and Probability

When you, your student, and your student's teacher look at MAP results, it may become apparent that certain goal areas need more attention than others.

What are Measures of Academic Progress Used For?
They measure your student's progress, or growth, in school. You may have a chart in your home on which you mark you student's height at certain times such as on their birthday. This is a growth chart. It shows how they've grown from one year to the next.

Measures of Academic Progress do the same sort of thing, except they measure your student's growth in reading, language usage, and mathematics skills.

How Do the Tests Measure Growth in Learning?
The Measures of Academic Progress use scores to measure growth in reading, language usage, and mathematics. Scores depend on two things: how many questions are answered correctly and the difficulty of each question.

How Important are the Tests to Students and to Teachers?
These tests are important because they keep track of progress or growth in the basic skills. They let teachers know where students' strengths are and if help is needed in any specific areas. MAP is just one look at how students are doing. Teachers already routinely assign projects and tasks, administer other tests, discuss student work, and report grades. These are all very important ways of looking at student progress.

Can Your Student Prepare for MAP?
The best thing your student can do to prepare for testing is to work hard in school every day. Regular attendance, good nutrition, and adequate rest are also important components for successful test performance.