Dear Parents and Guardians,
HMS students in grades 5 through 8 participate in the standardized NWEA-Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) assessment twice during the school year. Our students take this assessment online. Educators talk with our students in preparation for this assessment to ensure that they are as comfortable as possible with the process and able to put forth their best effort. Teachers meet with students individually about their growth on these assessments; these conversations are focused on goal setting.
We use the scores from the assessment internally to gauge our students’ progress and academic growth from year to year. The scores provide evidence of growth and highlight any areas which indicate a need for support. The MAP scores are only one source of information about our students’ progress. Daily work, classroom assessments, projects, classroom discussions and conferencing offer a more complete picture of academic functioning and progress.
Our school-wide universal MAP screenings take place during December and May. Students who are new to HMS participate in an additional MAP screening in September along with select students recommended for the September assessment based on their previous MAP scores.
The first round of MAP assessments will begin on Tuesday, December 3:
5th Grade
Math: December 3 from 11:10 - 12:30
Reading: December 4 from 11:10 - 12:30
6th Grade
Reading: December 5 from 8:10 - 10:20
Math: December 6 from 8:10 - 10:20
7th Grade
Reading: December 5 from 9:40 - 11:30
Math: December 6 from 9:40 - 11:30
8th Grade
Math: December 3 from 8:10 - 10:00
Reading: December 4 from 8:10-10:00
The results from the MAP assessments will be posted in PowerSchool during the next several weeks. You will be able to access your child(ren)’s results by logging into the PowerSchool parent portal and clicking on the link “Measures of Academic Progress.” We will let you know when the scores are posted.
Please let us know if you have any questions.
Thanks very much-
Joan Adler and Tom McDowell
HMS Administrative Team