Wednesday, January 4, 2023
Dear District 181 1st-8th Grade Parents,
We hope 2023 is off to a wonderful start! As we prepare to welcome our students back from winter break, the Department of Learning wanted to communicate our plans for administering the Winter MAP assessment to students enrolled in grades 1-8. The MAP window is scheduled for January 9, 2023 - January 20, 2023.
Why administer MAP?
Our District uses the data from this assessment in a variety of ways. In the classroom, it provides teachers with a means for monitoring student growth in reading and mathematics over time. At the District and building levels, MAP data help us set goals and evaluate initiatives. Finally, MAP will continue to be one of several indicators used to identify the impact of the pandemic on our students’ achievement and learning.
Administration Plan
Your child’s building leader and/or teacher will communicate the specifics of the building’s MAP administration plan with you. We ask that you make every effort to avoid appointments or other absences during these dates, so that we can prevent having students miss instructional minutes during make-up sessions.
Course Placement for 2023-24
Specific recommendations for math placement at grades 3-8 as well as middle school language arts and social studies placement for 2023-24 were approved at the Board of Education meeting on Monday, December 19, 2022. MAP scores are included, in conjunction with other data, in the requirements for students to move into advanced courses in all three subject areas. Course placement requirements can be found on our website at: https://www.d181.org/departments/learning/placement. Please scroll down to “Placement & Trajectory Documents” and select “Placement Criteria (2023-24)” to view the approved documents. Placement slideshows from the parent night held on December 14, 2022 can also be accessed in this location.
Preparing for MAP
A student who is well-rested, well-fed, and has a positive attitude about assessment is best prepared for testing. You can help your child do his or her best by considering these tips:
- Make sure that your child is in school and on time on test days.
- Make sure your child gets a good night’s sleep and eats a healthy breakfast before each day of testing.
- Remind your child that this assessment is only one measure. Emphasize that you have confidence in his or her ability to do the best job possible.
- Remind your child to listen to the directions and read each question carefully during testing.
Communication of Student Scores
We will continue the use of Skyward to communicate your child’s scores on MAP. This will allow families to receive their student’s results more quickly. An email will be sent alerting families when scores are visible. Directions for viewing results will be included in this follow-up email. Should a paper copy of the report be preferential, please contact your child’s principal.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tracey Miller
Director of Assessment, Instruction, & Evaluation
