Question about Math Inventory scoring

[Anonymous]

Do the scoring levels change based on grade level? Everything I'm searching seems to indicate that the scores are static but what they mean in terms of Basic/Proficient/Advanced are different at each grade, but out of curiosity I just checked DC's scores from last year compared to the mid-year for this year and they've actually dropped by about 80 points (Jan '21, May '21, Jan '22 it dropped each time). Is this a question of the numerical scores shifting as kids get older, or did my child just test either really well last January or really poorly comparatively on subsequent tests?

I've never in the past cared about things like the MI or SOLs, but DC is in middle school so the score on the end of year MI matters in terms of recommended math placement.

[Anonymous]

It's a single test and the scores are static but the grade level proficiency range changes for each grade. It's not atypical for a student already in the advanced range to have more fluctuation in scores in my experience as a teacher, because the test just goes up and up in skill level until students hit a wall. And it's not that a student hits a wall because they aren't capable of doing math at a higher level but because they haven't yet been exposed/taught those concepts yet since it's well above their grade level. If your child is in the advanced range for their grade level I wouldn't worry much and it could have been a not great testing session.

They'll take the test again in the next few weeks. 1030 is considered algebra ready by the test but APS sometimes has different benchmarks. You can always parent preference into the class you want in APS.

I can't find the score chart on the aps website but this one has the correct proficiency score for the grade I teach so I think it's accurate:

[Anonymous]

PP here. Also want to note the APS does not give this assessment once the student has begun the high school pathway (once in Algebra 1).

[Anonymous]

Different poster, but in another thread (https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1044266.page#22211290) someone said the APS cut off for pre-algebra in 6th was 1130. But this chart shows the top possible score in 5th grade as 1046. How does that work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Different poster, but in another thread (https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1044266.page#22211290) someone said the APS cut off for pre-algebra in 6th was 1130. But this chart shows the top possible score in 5th grade as 1046. How does that work?

You can score higher than the top score of that chart. It just means that’s the range for 5th grade students who are considered advanced for 5th grade. But for pre-algebra, they are really looking for 5th grade kids already scoring as advanced at the 6th grade level. They are condensing 6, 7, and 8 grade math into one year so that the kids are ready to take high-school level Alg 1 in 7th grade.

One thing to consider is whether your kid has the temperament and stamina to do a course for high school credit in 7th grade. My son is in that class now and it is noticeably more homework than the rest of his classes. And the other kids in there with him are similarly extremely high GT in math— regularly competing and placing in CML contests, etc. It’s a higher pressure crew of kids.

[Anonymous]

APS is now using MI 3.1 so the scoring is slightly different. Here is a link, I'm having trouble embedding an image.
https://www.hmhco.com/product-support/content/techsupport/smi/documentation/MI_FAQ_Final.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Different poster, but in another thread (https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1044266.page#22211290) someone said the APS cut off for pre-algebra in 6th was 1130. But this chart shows the top possible score in 5th grade as 1046. How does that work?

You can score higher than the top score of that chart. It just means that’s the range for 5th grade students who are considered advanced for 5th grade. But for pre-algebra, they are really looking for 5th grade kids already scoring as advanced at the 6th grade level. They are condensing 6, 7, and 8 grade math into one year so that the kids are ready to take high-school level Alg 1 in 7th grade.

One thing to consider is whether your kid has the temperament and stamina to do a course for high school credit in 7th grade. My son is in that class now and it is noticeably more homework than the rest of his classes. And the other kids in there with him are similarly extremely high GT in math— regularly competing and placing in CML contests, etc. It’s a higher pressure crew of kids.

Thanks – my kid received their EOY score and it’s higher than the advanced range for 5th and still in the advanced range for 6th and 7th, so your explanation really helps a lot. To be honest, I don’t know what my kid is up for – they’ve been so unchallenged for so long. In your opinion, is the pre-algebra in 6th a good indicator of success in algebra in 7th?

[Anonymous]

You can absolutely score higher than your grade's advanced range. You just keep going until you hit enough that you can't do and it stops. 1030 is the national algebra readiness benchmark, but APS can make theirs whatever they want. And remember it's pre-algebra in 6th, not algebra.

[Anonymous]

OP here, thank you to the teacher PP. I think I understand what you're saying is that because the content fed to the student is different the scoring might vary?

In DC's case, the midyear 5th grade score was in the end of year advanced range for both 6th and 7th grade and basic for 8th grade. The score for this year's mid-year 6th grade was in the advanced range for end of year 6th and 7th. The numerical score was something like an 80 point drop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can absolutely score higher than your grade's advanced range. You just keep going until you hit enough that you can't do and it stops. 1030 is the national algebra readiness benchmark, but APS can make theirs whatever they want. And remember it's pre-algebra in 6th, not algebra.

If the student is above 1030 in 5th or what ever the APS benchmark is - can they skip Pre-algebra and just take Algebra in 6th?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here. Also want to note the APS does not give this assessment once the student has begun the high school pathway (once in Algebra 1).

This is false. My middle schooler is in algebra I intensified, & the whole class just took the MI. (APS school).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You can absolutely score higher than your grade's advanced range. You just keep going until you hit enough that you can't do and it stops. 1030 is the national algebra readiness benchmark, but APS can make theirs whatever they want. And remember it's pre-algebra in 6th, not algebra.

If the student is above 1030 in 5th or what ever the APS benchmark is - can they skip Pre-algebra and just take Algebra in 6th?

No, and they recently made it more difficult for 7th graders to take algebra. They don’t use 1030 anymore— the cut-off is now 1130something. My kids’ APS MS has only a handful of 7th graders in algebra (not even a whole class). You can try parent placement if you don’t agree with the class they recommend, but be prepared for them to push back.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the helpful links to the MI scoring bands! I have been trying to find this info and have not been able to. Really appreciate you sharing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here. Also want to note the APS does not give this assessment once the student has begun the high school pathway (once in Algebra 1).

This is false. My middle schooler is in algebra I intensified, & the whole class just took the MI. (APS school).

Interesting. That’s new. My middle schooler never took MI again once he started Algebra in 7th (9th now).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:PP here. Also want to note the APS does not give this assessment once the student has begun the high school pathway (once in Algebra 1).

This is false. My middle schooler is in algebra I intensified, & the whole class just took the MI. (APS school).

Interesting. That’s new. My middle schooler never took MI again once he started Algebra in 7th (9th now).

Hm, interesting. I wonder why the change.