Assessment

NWEA Aligns MAP for Science With Next Generation Standards

• By Joshua Bolkan
• 11/08/16

The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) has aligned its Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) for Science assessment with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

MAP for Science is designed to measure the progress of students in grades 3 through 8 toward meeting the performance expectations of the NGSS. The assessment is designed to be administered three to four times per year, to adapt to each student's learning level and to provide educators with "essential information about what every student knows and is ready to learn" within 24 hours, according to information released by NWEA.

MAP's "precise, valid and reliable data can be used to project proficiency on state assessments and inform how educators differentiate instruction, evaluate programs and identify professional learning needs," according to a news release. "Its computer adaptive design provides a unique testing experience for each child and measures academic growth regardless of a student's grade level. It is an efficient and trusted tool that gives teachers actionable information on what each student is ready to learn and administrators insight into systemic needs."

"MAP Science for use with the NGSS gives teachers and students valuable information about three-dimensional teaching and learning," said Roy Beven, NWEA science test supervisor, in a prepared statement. "Students show their growth in understanding core scientific ideas while demonstrating their abilities in the practices of science and engineering. Students also show understanding of concepts that cut across disciplines as reported in NWEA's multidimensional learning statements."