• Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) 

    MAP is a series of tests that measure students’ general knowledge in reading, math and science through a state-aligned computerized test. MAP tests are adaptive tests that assess the instructional level and growth of each student. In Anoka-Hennepin the MAP test in reading and math is given in the fall in grades 2 through 8 and intermittently into high school. MAP testing helps teachers identify areas that may be more challenging for students and, if necessary, adjust instructional strategies to improve students’ understanding.

    Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) uses nationally determined norms based on the performance of the millions of students that take MAP. The MAP assessments are typically "normed" every three to five years. That means comparisons among all U.S. students taking the test are updated every three to five years, which ensures that the comparisons remain accurate, reliable and useful to educators.

    Each MAP assessment is made up of parts, which are called goals (sometimes thought of as strands). The strand scores indicate the student’s instructional level. In addition to goals, in reading, students are given a Lexile score which measures the difficulty level of written text. This is a useful tool for selecting books that are closely matched to the student’s reading skill so that the student is not bored by the simplicity of the text, nor are they hampered by its difficulty.

    Anoka-Hennepin also uses the MAP in reading and math as a predictor of student achievement on the MCA-III assessments.

    The MAP assessment takes approximately 60 minutes per subject for students to complete. MAP assessments are administered in the fall (September/October). Winter and spring MAP assessments are optional and administered on an as needed basis. The MAP assessment is adaptive, and students should be achieving approximately 50% of the items they receive correct.

    Teachers can view results in weekly data loads in the district’s data warehouse tool. Parents can access results through the A-H Connect parent portal.

    The following are goal areas for each test:

    • MAP: Reading 2-5 or Reading 6+ 
      • Literature
      • Informational Text
      • Foundational Skills & Vocabulary 
    • MAP: Mathematics 2-5 
      • Numbers & Operations
      • Algebra 
      • Geometry & Measurement
      • Data Analysis 
    • MAP: Mathematics 6+
      • Numbers & Operations 
      • Algebra
      • Geometry & Measurement
      • Data Analysis & Probability


    For additional detailed information, check out NWEA (www.nwea.org)