January 2003 — Features
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Getting On Board With Online Testing
Ready for the Test
In addition to wanting higher quality data to help improve learning, the Rigby and Blaine districts were well prepared for computerized testing. We have been using computers for about five years and currently have one computer for every five students. Also, we have good Internet connections, labs at each of our secondary schools and some computers in each classroom at the elementary level. In Blaine, the district was completely wired with the schools connected through a WAN; making it more than ready for computerized testing. Superintendent Jim Lewis, Ed.D., says, “We could have used the paper-and-pencil test first, but since we were really moving into technology and getting labs and computers on every teacher’s desk, we decided to wait until the computerized version came out.”
The MAP system’s flexible design may be implemented in any school that uses the Windows or Macintosh platform. Hutchins says, “One of the unique things about our district is that we have a mix of hardware platforms — one of our elementary schools is 100% Macs, while the others use Windows-based platforms or have a mix of both Macs and PCs. That puts a different twist on requirements for testing software, but with NWEA it d'esn’t matter what platform a school is using.”
Blaine offers testing in its computer labs for some of its schools, and in classrooms for others. The district uses wireless laptops to maintain computer access for classroom instruction, while the labs are used for testing. Rigby uses a similar set up. Its policy is to strive for consistency in setup within each building, though configurations from building to building change. The system ensures that students are consistently challenged by the items, so they don’t grow frustrated by content that is too difficult or bored by content that is too easy.
Scale Leads to Quality Data
It is possible to create tests with different items that measure the same level of achievement, because MAP test items are referenced to the Rasch Unit (RIT) Scale. This scale is the most important difference between NWEA and other tests. It is an equal interval scale that measures a student’s academic growth similar to the way a yardstick measures physical growth. Use of this scale enables teachers to measure a student’s ability to handle specific subject matter, provides data that show where students rank relative to other students, and reveals how close they are to achieving milestones and goals.
MAP data allows for in-depth analysis of students, classrooms, entire schools and districts, enabling decision making that serves to improve performance at any level. For example, Meridian is using the data to identify students who have already mastered grade-level knowledge, skills and understanding in order to move them to the next level of achievement. And Rigby is using the data for a variety of similar purposes, as well as for placement.
