Are the MAP score percentiles meaningful?

[Anonymous]

My son (1st grade) scored 95th percentile on MAP test math in the spring. He was placed in the lower of the two math classes for second grade and I was told the higher math class is for kids that scored 98/99 percentile. I’m just curious if that is generally how it works, mid 90s is considered “on grade level”.

[Anonymous]

I don’t think that MCPS has different levels of math classes until 4th grade, when compacted math 4/5 starts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think that MCPS has different levels of math classes until 4th grade, when compacted math 4/5 starts.

OP

at our MCPS elementary school they call one enriched and the other will only receive enrichment on an “as needed” basis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son (1st grade) scored 95th percentile on MAP test math in the spring. He was placed in the lower of the two math classes for second grade and I was told the higher math class is for kids that scored 98/99 percentile. I’m just curious if that is generally how it works, mid 90s is considered “on grade level”.

The percentiles are from National data, not just kids in MCPS or in your school. Overall, MCPS students score very high percentiles, especially in ES, because our population is highly educated and most kids get good starts in math and reading in preschool or at home. So yes, there are a lot of 98-99% students, and the “average” student is in the 90s.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son (1st grade) scored 95th percentile on MAP test math in the spring. He was placed in the lower of the two math classes for second grade and I was told the higher math class is for kids that scored 98/99 percentile. I’m just curious if that is generally how it works, mid 90s is considered “on grade level”.

The percentiles are from National data, not just kids in MCPS or in your school. Overall, MCPS students score very high percentiles, especially in ES, because our population is highly educated and most kids get good starts in math and reading in preschool or at home. So yes, there are a lot of 98-99% students, and the “average” student is in the 90s.

This is not even close to my experience. You are guessing here. All evidence suggests that MCPS data is very similar to national data.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think that MCPS has different levels of math classes until 4th grade, when compacted math 4/5 starts.

OP

at our MCPS elementary school they call one enriched and the other will only receive enrichment on an “as needed” basis.

Which school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son (1st grade) scored 95th percentile on MAP test math in the spring. He was placed in the lower of the two math classes for second grade and I was told the higher math class is for kids that scored 98/99 percentile. I’m just curious if that is generally how it works, mid 90s is considered “on grade level”.

The percentiles are from National data, not just kids in MCPS or in your school. Overall, MCPS students score very high percentiles, especially in ES, because our population is highly educated and most kids get good starts in math and reading in preschool or at home. So yes, there are a lot of 98-99% students, and the “average” student is in the 90s.

This is not even close to my experience. You are guessing here. All evidence suggests that MCPS data is very similar to national data.

What evidence can you link?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think that MCPS has different levels of math classes until 4th grade, when compacted math 4/5 starts.

OP

at our MCPS elementary school they call one enriched and the other will only receive enrichment on an “as needed” basis.

Which school?

Takoma Park Elementary

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son (1st grade) scored 95th percentile on MAP test math in the spring. He was placed in the lower of the two math classes for second grade and I was told the higher math class is for kids that scored 98/99 percentile. I’m just curious if that is generally how it works, mid 90s is considered “on grade level”.

This seems a bit off. Even at the low-farms schools top 5% nationally is around the top 15% which would put your kid in the top class.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son (1st grade) scored 95th percentile on MAP test math in the spring. He was placed in the lower of the two math classes for second grade and I was told the higher math class is for kids that scored 98/99 percentile. I’m just curious if that is generally how it works, mid 90s is considered “on grade level”.

This seems a bit off. Even at the low-farms schools top 5% nationally is around the top 15% which would put your kid in the top class.

I had one kid there who scored 99% and one who scored 95% within the past couple of years. They were both in the accelerated class. I'd suggest setting up a meeting with the principal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don’t think that MCPS has different levels of math classes until 4th grade, when compacted math 4/5 starts.

OP

at our MCPS elementary school they call one enriched and the other will only receive enrichment on an “as needed” basis.

Which school?

Takoma Park Elementary

At TPES about 30% end up in accelerated math so typically 3 of 9 classes. TPES is a moderately low FARMS school so the top 15% would be at 92%+. So guessing 85% might be closer to the cutoff for the top 30%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son (1st grade) scored 95th percentile on MAP test math in the spring. He was placed in the lower of the two math classes for second grade and I was told the higher math class is for kids that scored 98/99 percentile. I’m just curious if that is generally how it works, mid 90s is considered “on grade level”.

The percentiles are from National data, not just kids in MCPS or in your school. Overall, MCPS students score very high percentiles, especially in ES, because our population is highly educated and most kids get good starts in math and reading in preschool or at home. So yes, there are a lot of 98-99% students, and the “average” student is in the 90s.

This is not even close to my experience. You are guessing here. All evidence suggests that MCPS data is very similar to national data.

What evidence can you link?

If you look at the student score report, it shows both the MCPS and national percentiles, and the bars on the graph are VERY close.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son (1st grade) scored 95th percentile on MAP test math in the spring. He was placed in the lower of the two math classes for second grade and I was told the higher math class is for kids that scored 98/99 percentile. I’m just curious if that is generally how it works, mid 90s is considered “on grade level”.

Perhaps MAP is only one piece of the equation. Have you talked to the teacher?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My son (1st grade) scored 95th percentile on MAP test math in the spring. He was placed in the lower of the two math classes for second grade and I was told the higher math class is for kids that scored 98/99 percentile. I’m just curious if that is generally how it works, mid 90s is considered “on grade level”.

Perhaps MAP is only one piece of the equation. Have you talked to the teacher?

Yes, they made it seem like MAP scores were the big factor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My son (1st grade) scored 95th percentile on MAP test math in the spring. He was placed in the lower of the two math classes for second grade and I was told the higher math class is for kids that scored 98/99 percentile. I’m just curious if that is generally how it works, mid 90s is considered “on grade level”.

Are you sure it's merely non grade level? Maybe your kid is in the lower group form their grade, but it's still enriched above grade level.
95%ile is well above threshold for "differentiation" enrichment like extra challenge problem packets.