January 2021

Dear Parent/Guardian,

Over the course of the past two years, the Archdiocese of Newark has transitioned to NWEA MAP Growth for its testing program in the elementary schools.  The Winter 2021 window for MAP Growth testing in the Archdiocese of Newark elementary schools is from January 19th through February 19th. Each school will set its own testing schedule within the testing window.

MAP Growth is a computer adaptive test created by NWEA that students take at various times during the school year (fall, winter, spring). Computer adaptive tests adjust to each student’s learning level, providing a unique set of test questions based on the student’s responses to previous questions. If the student answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next question is easier. This results in a detailed picture of what the student knows and is ready to learn—whether it is on, above, or below their grade level. The results provide teachers with information to help them deliver appropriate content for each student and monitor each student’s academic growth over time.

The MAP Growth tests are untimed. Most students complete each subject test in less than an hour. Students who do not finish the assessment in the time scheduled for the testing session are able to resume the test at another time without the loss of test responses already submitted. The reports obtained from MAP Growth testing provide information about the student’s level of achievement and his or her growth over time. For more information about MAP Growth visit: https://www.nwea.org/parent-toolkit/

For the winter session, we will be testing ALL students. A schedule of the testing schedule is as follows:

Schedule:

Grades 2 – 5 In-Person learners                   Grades 2 – 5 Virtual Learners           

January 20, 2021 – Reading                             January 21, 2021 – Reading

January 26, 2021 – Math                                  January 27, 2021 – Math

Grades 6 – 8 All Learners

January 25, 2021 –  Reading

January 28, 2021 –  Math

Sincerely,

Ms Verdonck

MAP Growth Virtual Learners

Dear Parent/Guardian,

The Academy of Our Lady of Mount Carmel will be administering MAP Growth assessments beginning next week. Students who are remote-only will be able to take the test at home using their own device.

Schedule:

Grades 2 – 5 Virtual Learners                                       Grades 6 – 8 Virtual Learners

January 21, 2021 – Reading                                                     January 25, 2021 – Reading

January 27, 2021 – Math                                                          January 28, 2021 – Math

Below are some actions you can take to prepare your student for remote testing.

Test Preparation

Please make sure you complete the Prior to Test Day tasks as soon as possible so your child’s device is ready for a practice session to ensure everything goes smoothly for the actual testing.

Prior to Test Day

    1. Make sure your device has an internet connection

 

  • Disable pop-up blocking on your internet browser

 

  1. Make sure your device meets testing requirements using the Device Readiness Check
  2. Watch the MAP Growth introduction video
  3. Practice the test at practice.mapnwea.org
    (Username: grow, Password: grow)

On Test Day

  1. Minimize distractions for your child as much as possible
  2. Provide a quiet testing environment
  3. Allow the teacher/proctor to open the session first
  4. Log in at test.mapnwea.org
  5. Make sure you have a way to communicate with the teacher/proctor during the test
  6. Follow any additional instructions from the teacher/proctor.

The NWEA MAP Growth Family Toolkit provides the following advice for parents/caregivers: 

“The primary purpose of MAP Growth is to figure out what students know and what they’re ready to learn next so teachers can provide the most appropriate content to help them grow. Helping your child answer questions compromises test data and makes it harder for teachers to provide personalized instruction.  We recommend that you encourage your child to do their absolute best, but that you don’t provide any hints or assist them in answering questions. It’s also great to remind them that unlike some tests they have taken, every student who takes the MAP Growth test gets some answers right and some answers wrong because the test is adapting to the student and providing harder or easier questions based on their answers.” https://www.nwea.org/the-map-suite/common-questions-families/

Please contact Mrs. O’Farrill at nofarrill@nullacademyolmc.org if you have any technical questions about MAP Growth.

Sincerely,

Ms Verdonck