The NWEA assessments are:

Measures of Academic Progress® (MAP) – These computerized tests are adaptive and administered in the Northwest Local School District in Reading and Mathematics three times per year for students in grades 2-8. When taking a MAP® test, the difficulty of each question is based on how well a student answers all the previous questions. As the student answers correctly, questions become more difficult. If the student answers incorrectly, the questions become easier. In an optimal test, a student answers approximately half the items correctly and half incorrectly. The final score is an estimate of the student’s achievement level.
- NWLSD will also be administering the MAP assessment for reading to students in grades 9 and 10. Results from spring testing indicate that results from the MAP assessments were strongly correlated with performance on the English 1 and English 2 End of Course exams.

MAP® for Primary Grades (MPG) – These computerized tests are adaptive and administered in the Northwest Local School District in Reading and Mathematics three times per year for students in Grades Kdg - 1. These assessments provide teachers with an efficient way to assess achievement levels of early learners so they can spend more time teaching and less time administering individual diagnostic tests.These assessment also help teachers to identify the needs of all primary grades students, from struggling to advanced learners. The MPG assessments utilize engaging test items that encourage student participation for more accurate results.

In the Northwest Local School District the MPG/MAP assessments are used to determine on-track status per Ohio guidelines in the fall for students in Grades K-3.

On-track status on the NWEA MPG/MAP assessments is defined as follows for the 2019-20 school year:

Kindergarten- 132 is On Track
1st Grade- 151 is On Track
2nd Grade- 170 is On Track
3rd Grade- 181 is On Track

An individualized Reading Improvement and Monitoring Plan (RIMP) will be developed collaboratively with families for students who are deemed to be "not on track".

Results from these assessments are also used for gifted identification in reading and math (K-1 MPG, 2-8 MAP). Students must obtain a score that is at the 95th percentile or higher on the MPG/MAP assessment in order to be identified as gifted.

NWEA Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to complete a test?
Although the tests are not timed, it usually takes students about 30-45 minutes to complete each MAP® test. MAP® for Primary Grades tests are typically given in two 20-30 minute segments.

When will my child be tested and how often?
All students in the Northwest Local School District in grades K-8 take the NWEA computerized assessments for Reading and Math in the fall, winter, and spring.

2019-20 NWEA MAP/MPG Assessment Windows
Fall: August 26th -September 19th
Winter: January 13th - January 31st
Spring: May 4th -May 21st
Summer: June 4th - July 5th (Grade 3 Reading Only)

Do all students in the same grade take the same test?
No. NWEA assessments are designed to target a student's academic performance in reading and mathematics. These tests are tailored to an individual's current achievement level. This gives each students a fair opportunity to show what he or she knows and can do. The computer adjusts the difficulty of the questions so that each student takes a unique test.

What are NWEA assessments used for?
MAP® assessments are used to measure your student's progress or growth in school. You may have a chart in your home on which you mark your child’s height at certain times, such as on his or her birthday. This is a growth chart. It shows how much he or she has grown from one year to the next. MAP® assessments do the same sort of thing, except they measure your child’s growth in reading and mathematics skills. The scale used to measure your child’s progress is called the RIT scale (Rasch unIT). The RIT scale is an equal-interval scale much like feet and inches on a yardstick. If is used to chart your child's academic growth from year to year.

In the Northwest Local School District the NWEA assessments are also used as part of our processes for:

Gifted identification (95th National Percentile Rank)
Meeting Ohio's requirements for the Third Grade Reading Guarantee

How do teachers use the test scores?
MAP® tests are important to teachers because they keep track of progress and growth in basic skills. They let teachers know where a student’s strengths are and if help is needed in any specific areas. Teachers use this information to help them guide instruction in the classroom.

How does my child's performance compare to other students in the same grade?
MAP Growth Comparative Data

Understanding MAP Growth
MAP Growth

Northwest Local School District

Testing

2021-22 Assessment Calendar

Ohio's State Tests

American College Test: (ACT)

Ohio English Language Proficiency Assessment (OELPA)

Kindergarten Readiness Assessment (KRA)

NWEA MAP Assessments

AIMSWeb Plus

Scholastic Aptitude Test: (SAT)

Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test: (PSAT)