My Child and MAP Testing
What is MAP testing?
MAP stands for Measurement of Academic Progress. MAP is a computerized assessment that is designed specially
for your child to determine his/her instructional level in the areas of Math, Reading, and Language. An instructional
level is where the student answers 50% of the questions correctly. Knowing the instructional level of the students
help teachers know where to begin. The questions on this test will adjust according to the response that your child
gives. For example, two students may begin on the same questions, but their second question may be different
based on the answers given. If the student gives a correct response, the next question will become more difficult.
However, if the student answers the questions incorrectly, the next questions will be easier. The questions are
intended to find the student’s instructional level, not their mastery level. From this test, your child will be given
a RIT score.
What is a RIT score?
RIT stands for the Rasch Unit, which is a unit measurement that uses individual item difficulty values to estimate
student achievement (basically each question is worth a certain value and all questions’ values will be estimated to
determine a RIT score). RIT scores create an equal interval scale. Equal interval means that the difference between
scores is the same (or equal) regardless of whether a student is at the top, bottom, or middle of the RIT scale, and it
has the same meaning regardless of grade level. A RIT is a RIT is a RIT! The RIT scale is used to measure how
“tall” a student is on the curriculum s ale and scores can be compared to tell how much growth a student has made,
similar to measuring height on a yard stick. This can be seen after the students take the test again in the Spring. The
RIT score is independent of the age or grade of the student, but reflects the instructional level at which the student is
currently performing. If a student scores a RIT score of 191 for Language Arts and Growth that simply means the
student is able to answer questions containing third grade content with 50% accuracy.
How can I find out my child’s RIT score?
Your child’s teacher will provide you with a report. This report will give you information about your child?
What does this mean in terms of helping my child?
Teachers can use information from the score reports to look at specific areas of weakness as well as strengths and
then begin choosing a goal(s) on which to focus instructions. Once a particular goal for an area has been chosen, the
teacher can create his/her lessons accordingly. IN other words, areas of weakness can be focused in on to catch
students up or remediate them, and areas of strength can be used to challenge students to go above and beyond.
Do the questions correlate with what my child is learning in the classroom?
Yes. The questions on the MAP test are correlated with the South Carolina State standards.
How is this different from PASS testing?
The PASS test is given in the Spring. The results that teachers and parents receive are not given to us until the fall
of the next school year. Also the PASS test does not give us diagnostic information. MAP testing is given two
times year (Fall and Spring). Teachers can receive information from the test 24-36 hours after the test is given. The
information that is received allows us to focus in on areas of concern for the students. Giving this test twice a year
allows for teachers and parents to see academic growth over the course of the school year.
USING RIT SCORES TO ESTIMATE STUDENTS PROBABILITY OF ACHIEVING PROFICIENCY ON
PASS:
GRADE 5 READING RIT SCORES:
< 208 = Below Basic
208-217 = Basic
218-230 = Proficient
231 & Above = Advanced
GRADE 6 READING RIT SCORES:
< 209 = Below Basic
209-220 = Basic
221-231 = Proficient
232 & Above = Advanced
GRADE 7 READING RIT SCORES:
< 210 = Below Basic
210-225 = Basic
226-235 = Proficient
236 & Above = Advanced
GRADE 8 READING RIT SCORES:
< 217 = Below Basic
217-229 = Basic
230-236 = Proficient
237 & Above = Advanced
STUDENT'S APPROXIMATE GRADE LEVEL READING COMPREHENSION BASED ON LEXILE
RANGE :
*The following information was adapted from The LEXILE Framework for Reading
BELOW FIRST GRADE:
LEXILE SCORE = BR
1ST GRADE:
LEXILE SCORE = 200-400
2ND GRADE:
LEXILE SCORE = 300-500
3RD GRADE:
LEXILE SCORE = 420-700
4TH GRADE:
LEXILE SCORE = 600-830
5TH GRADE:
LEXILE SCORE = 800-920
6TH GRADE:
LEXILE SCORE = 850-1010
7TH GRADE:
LEXILE SCORE = 930-1070
8TH GRADE:
LEXILE SCORE = 1000-1120
9TH GRADE:
LEXILE SCORE = 1020-1150
10TH GRADE:
LEXILE SCORE = 1100-1200
11TH GRADE:
LEXILE SCORE = 1130-1230
12TH GRADE:
LEXILE SCORE = 1200-1310
COLLEGE FRESHMAN/SOPHOMORE:
LEXILE SCORE = 1200-1450
COLLEGE JUNIOR/SENIOR:
LEXILE SCORE = 1300-1500
GRADUATE SCHOOL:
LEXILE SCORE = 1480-1700