Dear
Cherokee Families:
DESE requires schools to share the following information with you prior to the MAP test each year.
The
Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) assesses students’ progress toward mastery of
the Show-Me Standards which are the educational standards in Missouri. The MAP
includes assessments in the subject areas of communication arts (grades 3-8),
mathematics (grades 3-8), and science (grades 5 and 8).
The
grade-level assessments use two different types of questions or items: Multiple
choice items are composed of selected response questions developed
specifically for Missouri/or the survey portion of TerraNova, a
nationally normed test. Constructed response items require students to
supply an appropriate response rather than making a selection from a list of
choices.
Missouri’s
Show-Me Standards are assessed on
state tests and classroom assessments. There are 40 content standards that
provide a solid foundation of knowledge and basic skills every student should
acquire in mathematics, science, communication arts, social studies,
health/physical education, and fine arts. These standards define the body of
knowledge that every student should experience within the K-12 curriculum.
There are also 33 process standards that include skills students should master
in order to successfully gather, analyze, and apply information, communicate
effectively, recognize and solve problems, and become responsible citizens.
While
intended to establish higher expectations for all of Missouri’s public school
students, the 73 Show-Me Standards do not represent everything a student should
or will learn. However, graduates who meet these standards should be well
prepared for future endeavors in continuing education, the work force, and
civic responsibilities.
Achievement
level scores provide a measure of
what students can do in terms of the content and skills assessed by the MAP,
which are typically found in the curriculum for the grade or grade span being
assessed. “Proficient” or “Advanced” levels of achievement are desirable.
On
the student report, the triangle next to the box indicates the
achievement level your student reached at the time of testing. The “Overview of
Performance” panel to the left contains your student’s actual score along with
the state mean score. The score range for each achievement level is indicated
on the right side of the boxes so you may compare your student’s score to the
range of scores in each achievement level. The achievement level attained by
your student indicates he/she can perform the majority of what is described at
that level and the greater part of the content and skills described in the
level(s) below. Your student may also be capable of performing some of the
content described in the level(s) above, but not enough to have adequately
demonstrated a complete understanding of the content at the time of the
assessment.
The
TerraNova National Percentile (NP) compares your student’s score to a sample of students across the
nation. For example, a student whose NP is 65 scored better than 65 percent of
the students in the nation who took the TerraNova test.
Sincerely,
Bill
Powers
Principal
Cherokee
Middle School
