January 2003 — Features

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Getting On Board With Online Testing

By Kay Woodfield, Rigby School District, Idaho

Conclusions

A goal in the Rigby and Blaine districts for next year is to use MAP test scores to determine specific milestones that must be reached for a student to proceed to the next grade. This not only provides students with personal accountability for their learning, but also provides educators with an early warning indicator if a child is not meeting standards. At that point, teachers can offer the appropriate additional support to assure improvement in the required time frame.

Currently, some districts like Blaine continue to combine MAP testing with the ITBS, although that is no longer a state-mandated test. According to Lewis, the ITBS augments the MAP data, allowing them to continue to use ITBS to get the big picture. He says, “MAP is invaluable in its ability to give teachers an ongoing look at how their class is progressing, how effective their instruction has been and what, if any, changes should be made to refocus instruction for more effectiveness.”

Meeting NCLB Goals

The Northwest Evaluation Association tests have put Idaho in a good position to meet the goals of the NCLB Act. For example:

  • The law requires that the same assessments be used to measure the performance of all children. The NWEA assessments measure all students in the identified content standards of the state. Our state tests are designed with two parts: the first portion focuses specifically on the content standards of each grade, while the second adapts to better measure the child.
  • The law requires the tests to be aligned with our content and student academic achievement standards, as well as provide coherent information about student attainment of such standards; MAP is so aligned. In addition, grade-level benchmarks have been designed to ensure we are meeting our goals. The alignment of our assessment with state and local curriculum standards also assures that the tests measure the curriculum broadly and deeply.
  • Another requirement of the law is that the state educational agency must provide evidence from the test publisher to the U.S. Secretary of Education that the assessments used are of adequate technical quality for each purpose required. The NWEA tests have been validated and revalidated in a variety of school settings. In addition, the accuracy of the assessments for each individual student is quite high.

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