How much should MAP-R improve in a year?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How do the kids get MAP-R scores? Is it a computer assigned score or teacher assigned score? Is the reading level (such as H, L, N etc.) derived from MAP-R score or is that a separate process?

The alphabet system used in elementary school is definitely separate. I think it comes from the Fountas-Pinell Benchmark system. All these FP readers are alphabet graded and teachers typically use this system for forming reading groups. It fits with the MClass tests that are given three times a year (initial fall, mid-winter/Jan., and May). In the MClass,, which has 3 parts, the teacher listens to a child read an alpha-graded reader and marks the errors, thus producing fluency and accuracy stats. Second, the child answers a computer-based multiple choice test on reading comprehension. Third, the child writes a BCR reading comprehension question. Starting in 2nd grade, the child must pass all 3 components to be considered as having passed a reading level. In first grade, the kids do the BCR, but it doesn't "count". And kids reading levels are just documented on the basis of fluency/accuracy/multi-choice reading comp.

I think FP reading levels can be sort of tied to lexiles which can also be tied to MAP-Rs, I've seen various comparison charts when I've googled. Sorry I can't provide a link.

The difference between FP and the MAP-R is that the MAP-R scores can be read against a nationally normed sample. So, from the MAP-R you can tell how your kid is doing vis-a-vis a national population. Also, the MAP-R tests out of grade level reading. So, a third grader who is reading at an 8th grade level should get a MAP-R score that reflects that. Conversely, in the school system, teachers frequently only test a kid's FP level up to the level of their highest reading group. In that kind of situation, a 3rd grader might be in a reading group that is working on level T, which is one grade ahead, even though they are reading on an 8th grade level, because there aren't enough kids left to form a higher reading group. I think MAP-R is a much more accurate reading assessment. IMO

I actually can't remember if the kids in 3rd grade get MClass AND MAP reading tests or whether MCPS just moves to MAP-R at that level.

Thanks to both replies. Very informative.

[Anonymous]

What does it mean if map-r score GOES DOWN by 1 point since the Fall assessment? Is it reflective of the child/the school or both?

[Anonymous]

It depends on what the score is mybe lower the score the more points you should improve in a school year. If the score is higher you might only see 5 or less points of improvement in a year and that's totally fine!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends on what the score is mybe lower the score the more points you should improve in a school year. If the score is higher you might only see 5 or less points of improvement in a year and that's totally fine!!

in the NWEA normative data linked above, there are expected rates of growth depending on what grade/initial score/weeks of instruction a child had. I would be reluctant to make generalizations about improvement. Parents should really look at the tables.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What does it mean if map-r score GOES DOWN by 1 point since the Fall assessment? Is it reflective of the child/the school or both?

What it might mean is that your child read a lot on his own over the summer and did well in the Fall assessment. Then atrophy set in over the school year and his score declined! I am only half kidding. The same thing happened to ds who is in fifth grade - score went from 252 in the Fall to 247 in the Spring! I am not worried but I am curious to see if the pattern repeats next year in 6th grade.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What does it mean if map-r score GOES DOWN by 1 point since the Fall assessment? Is it reflective of the child/the school or both?

What it might mean is that your child read a lot on his own over the summer and did well in the Fall assessment. Then atrophy set in over the school year and his score declined! I am only half kidding. The same thing happened to ds who is in fifth grade - score went from 252 in the Fall to 247 in the Spring! I am not worried but I am curious to see if the pattern repeats next year in 6th grade.

It depends totally on where a child scores in the MAP-R. Going down 1 point if the child is already near the cut score for the "basic" level, is serious. But going down from 252 to 247 is not something I would worry about since 249 is above the 99th percentile for a spring MAP-R reading score for a 5th grader.