Reply to Magnet Middle School Thread: MAP scores and results

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I just looked at the FAQ on the magnet info website (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1l0Zy-bCfG7O8E-F64VOnit_54fjOIU_lTR1JyU8SSMg/edit), and it was updated this week and now includes this information about cutoffs.  There were indeed local norms.  I still have a hard time understanding what happened with the students who posted here with 98th% MAP scores, as it seems really unlikely that 98th nationally is 85th locally.

[quote][b] 23. How were Grade 5 students identified for placement in the lottery pool for recommendation in a middle school magnet program?[/b]
Multiple academic measures were used to identify students. Given the impact of COVID-19 school-building closures, both measures from the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 school years were included. To be placed in the humanities and communication lottery pool, an A in both reading and writing and an indication of above reading grade level on the report card from Grade 4, and a locally normed minimum of 85th percentile on either last year (winter) or this year’s (fall) MAP-R.  For math, science or computer science, an A in both math and science and an indication of on level or higher for reading on the report card from Grade 4 and a locally normed minimum of 85th percentile on either last year (winter) or this year’s (fall) MAP-M. 
      24.       [b]What are locally normed scores?[/b]
Gifted and talented experts recommend the use of local norms of assessment scores as an equitable approach to ensure equity and access in identification of students for program access. Additionally, the current draft of Gifted and Talented Definitions from the Maryland State Department of Education includes the use of local norms as part of the gifted and talented identification process. 
MCPS locally normed scores are designed to examine test takers in relation to one another within MCPS. As part of the middle school magnet identification process, scores obtained on the MAP assessment were locally normed.   [/quote]
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That is grossly unfair. 85th %, normed any way you like, is a cutoff that is incredibly LOW for magnets. Year in , year out, students selected for middle school magnets are in the 99th percentile for MAP tests, and Cogat too.

This means that excellent students lost on the chance to study for three years at a level they need, because other students won a place they would not have won in another year. I'm very happy for these students, but angry at MCPS for shutting out outliers and truly gifted students who really need those three years of advanced instruction.

It's outrageous.

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+1
It hurts those who come from low performing schools which usually line up with low SES the most. The outlier not getting in from Hoover will likely have parents who can provide enrichment or challenges outside of school and a really strong peer group. The outlier coming from a poorer MS district may not have those opportunities.

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