If 8th grader didn't pass Alg 1 MCAP after VL

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here.. I raised my concern with DC, and they said that they had reviewed Alg1 throughout the year in Alg2.

Maybe they did. Maybe DC is fine. But, how would I know this.

Can I get an MCAP-like test somewhere that I could have DC take to ensure DC's Alg knowledge is solid? What's another way to check their knowledge?

No, they're not fine, and you know this because they're getting some Bs. The American grading system is meant to give As for mastery. Bs are not it. I know that a large portion of the population is entirely OK with Bs and Cs, but since you're asking whether your kid is "fine", meaning whether they are capable of getting mostly As in future math classes, then no. Math builds year to year. You need to watch out.

Yes, that's true; however, the MCAP was a brand new test that had never been used before that year. There was nothing to compare it to, and there were serious issues with it. The scoring wasn't meaningful so in answer to the OP's question. You kid is fine. Most everyone who took MCAP didn't pass it that year because it was a broken test. Look at their MAP scores for an honest evaluation of their mathematical understanding.

Last year was not the first year that MCAP was used. It was not brand new.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, check the MAP-M score. Should be 280+ for a student already in Algebra 2 who passed Alg 1 and Geom.

Also do Khan Academy quizzes as a check.

A score of 280+ for ANY 9th grader is in the top 99.7% according to NWEA's RIT scoring.

99.7% of 9th graders don't demonstrate mastery of Algebra and Geometry.

OP mentioned 266, which is somewhere above 50% of Algebra 1 + Geometry course questions, but not near 100%. OP also mentioned getting some B's in Alg 2. (OP didn't say Honors, but I presume it was. If not, it's even more.ofna concern.
280 might be a bit high for this level; it's hard to say because NWEA doesn't publish guidance on interpreting scores above 260. Those scores just means increasingly more than 50% correct on the hardest Algebra and Geometry questions.

OP's DC might struggle in Precalculus and Calculus, as many students do, even in >95%ile cohort. Getting B's while being in an advanced track is risky.

Is that a surprise when there is no textbooks, basic teaching, little homework or class work for repulsion or review.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, check the MAP-M score. Should be 280+ for a student already in Algebra 2 who passed Alg 1 and Geom.

Also do Khan Academy quizzes as a check.

A score of 280+ for ANY 9th grader is in the top 99.7% according to NWEA's RIT scoring.

99.7% of 9th graders don't demonstrate mastery of Algebra and Geometry.

OP mentioned 266, which is somewhere above 50% of Algebra 1 + Geometry course questions, but not near 100%. OP also mentioned getting some B's in Alg 2. (OP didn't say Honors, but I presume it was. If not, it's even more.ofna concern.
280 might be a bit high for this level; it's hard to say because NWEA doesn't publish guidance on interpreting scores above 260. Those scores just means increasingly more than 50% correct on the hardest Algebra and Geometry questions.

OP's DC might struggle in Precalculus and Calculus, as many students do, even in >95%ile cohort. Getting B's while being in an advanced track is risky.

OP here.. ok, so the bolded is interesting, and this is what I'm wondering about MAP, and why I'd like to get my hands on an actual Alg. test. I guess I'll go on amazon to see if I can find something.

266 is 95%ile, for a 9th grader, but that only means ~50% Alg content? Now, I'm questioning high MAP scores.

There seems to be a specific MAP Alg test.

https://www.nwea.org/resource-center/fact-sheet/52326/2022-Norms-for-MAP-Growth-course-specific-tests-in-algebra-1-2-geometry_NWEA_onesheet.pdf/

Why doesn't MCPS just use that? How do I get my hands on this test?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, check the MAP-M score. Should be 280+ for a student already in Algebra 2 who passed Alg 1 and Geom.

Also do Khan Academy quizzes as a check.

A score of 280+ for ANY 9th grader is in the top 99.7% according to NWEA's RIT scoring.

99.7% of 9th graders don't demonstrate mastery of Algebra and Geometry.

OP mentioned 266, which is somewhere above 50% of Algebra 1 + Geometry course questions, but not near 100%. OP also mentioned getting some B's in Alg 2. (OP didn't say Honors, but I presume it was. If not, it's even more.ofna concern.
280 might be a bit high for this level; it's hard to say because NWEA doesn't publish guidance on interpreting scores above 260. Those scores just means increasingly more than 50% correct on the hardest Algebra and Geometry questions.

OP's DC might struggle in Precalculus and Calculus, as many students do, even in >95%ile cohort. Getting B's while being in an advanced track is risky.

OP here.. ok, so the bolded is interesting, and this is what I'm wondering about MAP, and why I'd like to get my hands on an actual Alg. test. I guess I'll go on amazon to see if I can find something.

266 is 95%ile, for a 9th grader, but that only means ~50% Alg content? Now, I'm questioning high MAP scores.

There seems to be a specific MAP Alg test.

https://www.nwea.org/resource-center/fact-sheet/52326/2022-Norms-for-MAP-Growth-course-specific-tests-in-algebra-1-2-geometry_NWEA_onesheet.pdf/

Why doesn't MCPS just use that? How do I get my hands on this test?

MCAP is a new test the state created a year or two ago. MCPS only gives it to fulfill legal requirements. MCPS doesn't use it especially because they're still working out the bugs. If you want to understand MAP scores, here's a link to a site that makes it easy, https://sites.google.com/view/nweapercentilecalculator

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, check the MAP-M score. Should be 280+ for a student already in Algebra 2 who passed Alg 1 and Geom.

Also do Khan Academy quizzes as a check.

A score of 280+ for ANY 9th grader is in the top 99.7% according to NWEA's RIT scoring.

99.7% of 9th graders don't demonstrate mastery of Algebra and Geometry.

OP mentioned 266, which is somewhere above 50% of Algebra 1 + Geometry course questions, but not near 100%. OP also mentioned getting some B's in Alg 2. (OP didn't say Honors, but I presume it was. If not, it's even more.ofna concern.
280 might be a bit high for this level; it's hard to say because NWEA doesn't publish guidance on interpreting scores above 260. Those scores just means increasingly more than 50% correct on the hardest Algebra and Geometry questions.

OP's DC might struggle in Precalculus and Calculus, as many students do, even in >95%ile cohort. Getting B's while being in an advanced track is risky.

OP here.. ok, so the bolded is interesting, and this is what I'm wondering about MAP, and why I'd like to get my hands on an actual Alg. test. I guess I'll go on amazon to see if I can find something.

266 is 95%ile, for a 9th grader, but that only means ~50% Alg content? Now, I'm questioning high MAP scores.

There seems to be a specific MAP Alg test.

https://www.nwea.org/resource-center/fact-sheet/52326/2022-Norms-for-MAP-Growth-course-specific-tests-in-algebra-1-2-geometry_NWEA_onesheet.pdf/

Why doesn't MCPS just use that? How do I get my hands on this test?

The MAP test is adaptive. They give the same test to kids who are in grades 6-8 and a new one to 9th grade plus. If you are concerned about your child's proficiency, I suggest you reach out to their teacher, but if they're scoring 80%+ for their grade they will tell you they are doing fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, check the MAP-M score. Should be 280+ for a student already in Algebra 2 who passed Alg 1 and Geom.

Also do Khan Academy quizzes as a check.

A score of 280+ for ANY 9th grader is in the top 99.7% according to NWEA's RIT scoring.

99.7% of 9th graders don't demonstrate mastery of Algebra and Geometry.

OP mentioned 266, which is somewhere above 50% of Algebra 1 + Geometry course questions, but not near 100%. OP also mentioned getting some B's in Alg 2. (OP didn't say Honors, but I presume it was. If not, it's even more.ofna concern.
280 might be a bit high for this level; it's hard to say because NWEA doesn't publish guidance on interpreting scores above 260. Those scores just means increasingly more than 50% correct on the hardest Algebra and Geometry questions.

OP's DC might struggle in Precalculus and Calculus, as many students do, even in >95%ile cohort. Getting B's while being in an advanced track is risky.

OP here.. ok, so the bolded is interesting, and this is what I'm wondering about MAP, and why I'd like to get my hands on an actual Alg. test. I guess I'll go on amazon to see if I can find something.

266 is 95%ile, for a 9th grader, but that only means ~50% Alg content? Now, I'm questioning high MAP scores.

There seems to be a specific MAP Alg test.

https://www.nwea.org/resource-center/fact-sheet/52326/2022-Norms-for-MAP-Growth-course-specific-tests-in-algebra-1-2-geometry_NWEA_onesheet.pdf/

Why doesn't MCPS just use that? How do I get my hands on this test?

The MAP test is adaptive. They give the same test to kids who are in grades 6-8 and a new one to 9th grade plus. If you are concerned about your child's proficiency, I suggest you reach out to their teacher, but if they're scoring 80%+ for their grade they will tell you they are doing fine.

OP here.. I don't trust the grading due to grade inflation, and the teachers are more focused on those who are really failing rather than on a student who is getting As/Bs, but may not be all that proficient.

I don't care if it's Bs/As...I just want to make sure DC's Algebra knowledge is solid.

I know MAP testing is adaptive, but what does a 266 really mean in terms of Algebra knowledge? Per the PP, it's like 50%. If true, that's troubling, in general, not just for my DC. A 9th grader's high MAP score should mean at least like 70% Alg knowledge, IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, check the MAP-M score. Should be 280+ for a student already in Algebra 2 who passed Alg 1 and Geom.

Also do Khan Academy quizzes as a check.

A score of 280+ for ANY 9th grader is in the top 99.7% according to NWEA's RIT scoring.

99.7% of 9th graders don't demonstrate mastery of Algebra and Geometry.

OP mentioned 266, which is somewhere above 50% of Algebra 1 + Geometry course questions, but not near 100%. OP also mentioned getting some B's in Alg 2. (OP didn't say Honors, but I presume it was. If not, it's even more.ofna concern.
280 might be a bit high for this level; it's hard to say because NWEA doesn't publish guidance on interpreting scores above 260. Those scores just means increasingly more than 50% correct on the hardest Algebra and Geometry questions.

OP's DC might struggle in Precalculus and Calculus, as many students do, even in >95%ile cohort. Getting B's while being in an advanced track is risky.

OP here.. ok, so the bolded is interesting, and this is what I'm wondering about MAP, and why I'd like to get my hands on an actual Alg. test. I guess I'll go on amazon to see if I can find something.

266 is 95%ile, for a 9th grader, but that only means ~50% Alg content? Now, I'm questioning high MAP scores.

There seems to be a specific MAP Alg test.

https://www.nwea.org/resource-center/fact-sheet/52326/2022-Norms-for-MAP-Growth-course-specific-tests-in-algebra-1-2-geometry_NWEA_onesheet.pdf/

Why doesn't MCPS just use that? How do I get my hands on this test?

The MAP test is adaptive. They give the same test to kids who are in grades 6-8 and a new one to 9th grade plus. If you are concerned about your child's proficiency, I suggest you reach out to their teacher, but if they're scoring 80%+ for their grade they will tell you they are doing fine.

OP here.. I don't trust the grading due to grade inflation, and the teachers are more focused on those who are really failing rather than on a student who is getting As/Bs, but may not be all that proficient.

I don't care if it's Bs/As...I just want to make sure DC's Algebra knowledge is solid.

I know MAP testing is adaptive, but what does a 266 really mean in terms of Algebra knowledge? Per the PP, it's like 50%. If true, that's troubling, in general, not just for my DC. A 9th grader's high MAP score should mean at least like 70% Alg knowledge, IMO.

Write your child's teacher and ask for the detailed MAP report. One of the subscores should be on algebraic reasoning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, check the MAP-M score. Should be 280+ for a student already in Algebra 2 who passed Alg 1 and Geom.

Also do Khan Academy quizzes as a check.

A score of 280+ for ANY 9th grader is in the top 99.7% according to NWEA's RIT scoring.

99.7% of 9th graders don't demonstrate mastery of Algebra and Geometry.

OP mentioned 266, which is somewhere above 50% of Algebra 1 + Geometry course questions, but not near 100%. OP also mentioned getting some B's in Alg 2. (OP didn't say Honors, but I presume it was. If not, it's even more.ofna concern.
280 might be a bit high for this level; it's hard to say because NWEA doesn't publish guidance on interpreting scores above 260. Those scores just means increasingly more than 50% correct on the hardest Algebra and Geometry questions.

OP's DC might struggle in Precalculus and Calculus, as many students do, even in >95%ile cohort. Getting B's while being in an advanced track is risky.

OP here.. ok, so the bolded is interesting, and this is what I'm wondering about MAP, and why I'd like to get my hands on an actual Alg. test. I guess I'll go on amazon to see if I can find something.

266 is 95%ile, for a 9th grader, but that only means ~50% Alg content? Now, I'm questioning high MAP scores.

There seems to be a specific MAP Alg test.

https://www.nwea.org/resource-center/fact-sheet/52326/2022-Norms-for-MAP-Growth-course-specific-tests-in-algebra-1-2-geometry_NWEA_onesheet.pdf/

Why doesn't MCPS just use that? How do I get my hands on this test?

The MAP test is adaptive. They give the same test to kids who are in grades 6-8 and a new one to 9th grade plus. If you are concerned about your child's proficiency, I suggest you reach out to their teacher, but if they're scoring 80%+ for their grade they will tell you they are doing fine.

OP here.. I don't trust the grading due to grade inflation, and the teachers are more focused on those who are really failing rather than on a student who is getting As/Bs, but may not be all that proficient.

I don't care if it's Bs/As...I just want to make sure DC's Algebra knowledge is solid.

I know MAP testing is adaptive, but what does a 266 really mean in terms of Algebra knowledge? Per the PP, it's like 50%. If true, that's troubling, in general, not just for my DC. A 9th grader's high MAP score should mean at least like 70% Alg knowledge, IMO.

It's >50%, not about 50%. The MAP test just isn't designed to test anything beyond basic knowledge of Alg 1 and Geometry, because that's all that is needed to cover the vast majority of students in schools.

To test Algebra mastery, try Khan Academy or AoPs Calculus, both free. Study.com has one also https://study.com/academy/exam/course/high-school-algebra-i-homeschool-curriculum.html

Anyway you should not be too worried. Your kid's MAP isn't the bottom of their cohort. Its just a lot of people, maybe most, sort of float through math not really learning it, which makes me sad, and slowing down a bit might help it sink in more.
Or maybe it never sinks in, an most above-average kids just need to see how high they can temporarily get, to impress dumb college admissions boards before they forget all the math.

[Anonymous]

OP- Schedule a meeting with your child’s teacher or the math team lead.

MCAP Algebra Practice problems:
https://md.testnav.com/client/index.html#

MAP 2020 Normative scores:
https://teach.mapnwea.org/impl/MAPGrowthNormativeDataOverview.pdf

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, check the MAP-M score. Should be 280+ for a student already in Algebra 2 who passed Alg 1 and Geom.

Also do Khan Academy quizzes as a check.

A score of 280+ for ANY 9th grader is in the top 99.7% according to NWEA's RIT scoring.

99.7% of 9th graders don't demonstrate mastery of Algebra and Geometry.

OP mentioned 266, which is somewhere above 50% of Algebra 1 + Geometry course questions, but not near 100%. OP also mentioned getting some B's in Alg 2. (OP didn't say Honors, but I presume it was. If not, it's even more.ofna concern.
280 might be a bit high for this level; it's hard to say because NWEA doesn't publish guidance on interpreting scores above 260. Those scores just means increasingly more than 50% correct on the hardest Algebra and Geometry questions.

OP's DC might struggle in Precalculus and Calculus, as many students do, even in >95%ile cohort. Getting B's while being in an advanced track is risky.

OP here.. ok, so the bolded is interesting, and this is what I'm wondering about MAP, and why I'd like to get my hands on an actual Alg. test. I guess I'll go on amazon to see if I can find something.

266 is 95%ile, for a 9th grader, but that only means ~50% Alg content? Now, I'm questioning high MAP scores.

There seems to be a specific MAP Alg test.

https://www.nwea.org/resource-center/fact-sheet/52326/2022-Norms-for-MAP-Growth-course-specific-tests-in-algebra-1-2-geometry_NWEA_onesheet.pdf/

Why doesn't MCPS just use that? How do I get my hands on this test?

The MAP test is adaptive. They give the same test to kids who are in grades 6-8 and a new one to 9th grade plus. If you are concerned about your child's proficiency, I suggest you reach out to their teacher, but if they're scoring 80%+ for their grade they will tell you they are doing fine.

OP here.. I don't trust the grading due to grade inflation, and the teachers are more focused on those who are really failing rather than on a student who is getting As/Bs, but may not be all that proficient.

I don't care if it's Bs/As...I just want to make sure DC's Algebra knowledge is solid.

I know MAP testing is adaptive, but what does a 266 really mean in terms of Algebra knowledge? Per the PP, it's like 50%. If true, that's troubling, in general, not just for my DC. A 9th grader's high MAP score should mean at least like 70% Alg knowledge, IMO.

It's >50%, not about 50%. The MAP test just isn't designed to test anything beyond basic knowledge of Alg 1 and Geometry, because that's all that is needed to cover the vast majority of students in schools.

To test Algebra mastery, try Khan Academy or AoPs Calculus, both free. Study.com has one also https://study.com/academy/exam/course/high-school-algebra-i-homeschool-curriculum.html

Anyway you should not be too worried. Your kid's MAP isn't the bottom of their cohort. Its just a lot of people, maybe most, sort of float through math not really learning it, which makes me sad, and slowing down a bit might help it sink in more.
Or maybe it never sinks in, an most above-average kids just need to see how high they can temporarily get, to impress dumb college admissions boards before they forget all the math.

thank you for that link. I'm going to have DC take that over the summer. I bought DC an Alg workbook during VL because I feared that DC was not getting enough practice, which math requires a lot of.

I have a copy of the MAP test score from fall online, and it does show the alg thinking:

Geometry High
Operations and Algebraic Thinking HiAvg
Statistics and Probability HiAvg
The Real and Complex Number Systems HiAvg

I'll wait to see the one DC just took.

ITA your post about how most just float through math and not really have a solid grasp of it. It is troubling, and probably why most people can do math only up to like a 5th or 6th grade level.

Thanks all! Very helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, check the MAP-M score. Should be 280+ for a student already in Algebra 2 who passed Alg 1 and Geom.

Also do Khan Academy quizzes as a check.

A score of 280+ for ANY 9th grader is in the top 99.7% according to NWEA's RIT scoring.

99.7% of 9th graders don't demonstrate mastery of Algebra and Geometry.

OP mentioned 266, which is somewhere above 50% of Algebra 1 + Geometry course questions, but not near 100%. OP also mentioned getting some B's in Alg 2. (OP didn't say Honors, but I presume it was. If not, it's even more.ofna concern.
280 might be a bit high for this level; it's hard to say because NWEA doesn't publish guidance on interpreting scores above 260. Those scores just means increasingly more than 50% correct on the hardest Algebra and Geometry questions.

OP's DC might struggle in Precalculus and Calculus, as many students do, even in >95%ile cohort. Getting B's while being in an advanced track is risky.

OP here.. ok, so the bolded is interesting, and this is what I'm wondering about MAP, and why I'd like to get my hands on an actual Alg. test. I guess I'll go on amazon to see if I can find something.

266 is 95%ile, for a 9th grader, but that only means ~50% Alg content? Now, I'm questioning high MAP scores.

There seems to be a specific MAP Alg test.

https://www.nwea.org/resource-center/fact-sheet/52326/2022-Norms-for-MAP-Growth-course-specific-tests-in-algebra-1-2-geometry_NWEA_onesheet.pdf/

Why doesn't MCPS just use that? How do I get my hands on this test?

The MAP test is adaptive. They give the same test to kids who are in grades 6-8 and a new one to 9th grade plus. If you are concerned about your child's proficiency, I suggest you reach out to their teacher, but if they're scoring 80%+ for their grade they will tell you they are doing fine.

OP here.. I don't trust the grading due to grade inflation, and the teachers are more focused on those who are really failing rather than on a student who is getting As/Bs, but may not be all that proficient.

I don't care if it's Bs/As...I just want to make sure DC's Algebra knowledge is solid.

I know MAP testing is adaptive, but what does a 266 really mean in terms of Algebra knowledge? Per the PP, it's like 50%. If true, that's troubling, in general, not just for my DC. A 9th grader's high MAP score should mean at least like 70% Alg knowledge, IMO.

It's >50%, not about 50%. The MAP test just isn't designed to test anything beyond basic knowledge of Alg 1 and Geometry, because that's all that is needed to cover the vast majority of students in schools.

To test Algebra mastery, try Khan Academy or AoPs Calculus, both free. Study.com has one also https://study.com/academy/exam/course/high-school-algebra-i-homeschool-curriculum.html

Anyway you should not be too worried. Your kid's MAP isn't the bottom of their cohort. Its just a lot of people, maybe most, sort of float through math not really learning it, which makes me sad, and slowing down a bit might help it sink in more.
Or maybe it never sinks in, an most above-average kids just need to see how high they can temporarily get, to impress dumb college admissions boards before they forget all the math.

thank you for that link. I'm going to have DC take that over the summer. I bought DC an Alg workbook during VL because I feared that DC was not getting enough practice, which math requires a lot of.

I have a copy of the MAP test score from fall online, and it does show the alg thinking:

Geometry High
Operations and Algebraic Thinking HiAvg
Statistics and Probability HiAvg
The Real and Complex Number Systems HiAvg

I'll wait to see the one DC just took.

ITA your post about how most just float through math and not really have a solid grasp of it. It is troubling, and probably why most people can do math only up to like a 5th or 6th grade level.

Thanks all! Very helpful.

A lot of these posters are a bit confused about these tests. Your best bed is to reach out to your child's teacher to discuss your specific concerns.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, check the MAP-M score. Should be 280+ for a student already in Algebra 2 who passed Alg 1 and Geom.

Also do Khan Academy quizzes as a check.

A score of 280+ for ANY 9th grader is in the top 99.7% according to NWEA's RIT scoring.

99.7% of 9th graders don't demonstrate mastery of Algebra and Geometry.

OP mentioned 266, which is somewhere above 50% of Algebra 1 + Geometry course questions, but not near 100%. OP also mentioned getting some B's in Alg 2. (OP didn't say Honors, but I presume it was. If not, it's even more.ofna concern.
280 might be a bit high for this level; it's hard to say because NWEA doesn't publish guidance on interpreting scores above 260. Those scores just means increasingly more than 50% correct on the hardest Algebra and Geometry questions.

OP's DC might struggle in Precalculus and Calculus, as many students do, even in >95%ile cohort. Getting B's while being in an advanced track is risky.

OP here.. ok, so the bolded is interesting, and this is what I'm wondering about MAP, and why I'd like to get my hands on an actual Alg. test. I guess I'll go on amazon to see if I can find something.

266 is 95%ile, for a 9th grader, but that only means ~50% Alg content? Now, I'm questioning high MAP scores.

There seems to be a specific MAP Alg test.

https://www.nwea.org/resource-center/fact-sheet/52326/2022-Norms-for-MAP-Growth-course-specific-tests-in-algebra-1-2-geometry_NWEA_onesheet.pdf/

Why doesn't MCPS just use that? How do I get my hands on this test?

The MAP test is adaptive. They give the same test to kids who are in grades 6-8 and a new one to 9th grade plus. If you are concerned about your child's proficiency, I suggest you reach out to their teacher, but if they're scoring 80%+ for their grade they will tell you they are doing fine.

OP here.. I don't trust the grading due to grade inflation, and the teachers are more focused on those who are really failing rather than on a student who is getting As/Bs, but may not be all that proficient.

I don't care if it's Bs/As...I just want to make sure DC's Algebra knowledge is solid.

I know MAP testing is adaptive, but what does a 266 really mean in terms of Algebra knowledge? Per the PP, it's like 50%. If true, that's troubling, in general, not just for my DC. A 9th grader's high MAP score should mean at least like 70% Alg knowledge, IMO.

It's >50%, not about 50%. The MAP test just isn't designed to test anything beyond basic knowledge of Alg 1 and Geometry, because that's all that is needed to cover the vast majority of students in schools.

To test Algebra mastery, try Khan Academy or AoPs Calculus, both free. Study.com has one also https://study.com/academy/exam/course/high-school-algebra-i-homeschool-curriculum.html

Anyway you should not be too worried. Your kid's MAP isn't the bottom of their cohort. Its just a lot of people, maybe most, sort of float through math not really learning it, which makes me sad, and slowing down a bit might help it sink in more.
Or maybe it never sinks in, an most above-average kids just need to see how high they can temporarily get, to impress dumb college admissions boards before they forget all the math.

Correction: AoPS Alcumus, not Calculus

https://artofproblemsolving.com/alcumus

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, check the MAP-M score. Should be 280+ for a student already in Algebra 2 who passed Alg 1 and Geom.

Also do Khan Academy quizzes as a check.

A score of 280+ for ANY 9th grader is in the top 99.7% according to NWEA's RIT scoring.

99.7% of 9th graders don't demonstrate mastery of Algebra and Geometry.

OP mentioned 266, which is somewhere above 50% of Algebra 1 + Geometry course questions, but not near 100%. OP also mentioned getting some B's in Alg 2. (OP didn't say Honors, but I presume it was. If not, it's even more.ofna concern.
280 might be a bit high for this level; it's hard to say because NWEA doesn't publish guidance on interpreting scores above 260. Those scores just means increasingly more than 50% correct on the hardest Algebra and Geometry questions.

OP's DC might struggle in Precalculus and Calculus, as many students do, even in >95%ile cohort. Getting B's while being in an advanced track is risky.

OP here.. ok, so the bolded is interesting, and this is what I'm wondering about MAP, and why I'd like to get my hands on an actual Alg. test. I guess I'll go on amazon to see if I can find something.

266 is 95%ile, for a 9th grader, but that only means ~50% Alg content? Now, I'm questioning high MAP scores.

There seems to be a specific MAP Alg test.

https://www.nwea.org/resource-center/fact-sheet/52326/2022-Norms-for-MAP-Growth-course-specific-tests-in-algebra-1-2-geometry_NWEA_onesheet.pdf/

Why doesn't MCPS just use that? How do I get my hands on this test?

The MAP test is adaptive. They give the same test to kids who are in grades 6-8 and a new one to 9th grade plus. If you are concerned about your child's proficiency, I suggest you reach out to their teacher, but if they're scoring 80%+ for their grade they will tell you they are doing fine.

OP here.. I don't trust the grading due to grade inflation, and the teachers are more focused on those who are really failing rather than on a student who is getting As/Bs, but may not be all that proficient.

I don't care if it's Bs/As...I just want to make sure DC's Algebra knowledge is solid.

I know MAP testing is adaptive, but what does a 266 really mean in terms of Algebra knowledge? Per the PP, it's like 50%. If true, that's troubling, in general, not just for my DC. A 9th grader's high MAP score should mean at least like 70% Alg knowledge, IMO.

It's >50%, not about 50%. The MAP test just isn't designed to test anything beyond basic knowledge of Alg 1 and Geometry, because that's all that is needed to cover the vast majority of students in schools.

To test Algebra mastery, try Khan Academy or AoPs Calculus, both free. Study.com has one also https://study.com/academy/exam/course/high-school-algebra-i-homeschool-curriculum.html

Anyway you should not be too worried. Your kid's MAP isn't the bottom of their cohort. Its just a lot of people, maybe most, sort of float through math not really learning it, which makes me sad, and slowing down a bit might help it sink in more.
Or maybe it never sinks in, an most above-average kids just need to see how high they can temporarily get, to impress dumb college admissions boards before they forget all the math.

thank you for that link. I'm going to have DC take that over the summer. I bought DC an Alg workbook during VL because I feared that DC was not getting enough practice, which math requires a lot of.

I have a copy of the MAP test score from fall online, and it does show the alg thinking:

Geometry High
Operations and Algebraic Thinking HiAvg
Statistics and Probability HiAvg
The Real and Complex Number Systems HiAvg

I'll wait to see the one DC just took.

ITA your post about how most just float through math and not really have a solid grasp of it. It is troubling, and probably why most people can do math only up to like a 5th or 6th grade level.

Thanks all! Very helpful.

A lot of these posters are a bit confused about these tests. Your best bed is to reach out to your child's teacher to discuss your specific concerns.

I find that teachers don't give any real feedback unless your child has serious academic issues. DC is getting As/Bs. IMO, the teacher's response will just be "your kid is doing fine.. I don't see anything to worry about". I want to know what areas in Alg DC is lacking. Their current Alg2 teacher won't be able to tell me that, and yes, it's Honors Alg2.