September 18, 2020

Dear Parents, 

The DeKalb County School District (DCSD) utilizes the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) as a universal screener three times a year - Fall, Winter, and Spring.

In an effort to accommodate the many schools within the district and our new virtual environment, the Assessment Administration Department for the DeKalb County School District, has set the Fall MAP testing window to open on Monday, September 21, 2020, and closes on Friday, November 11, 2020. However, your student’s school will communicate specific information about dates for your child’s school.

As the DeKalb County School District begins the school year virtually, the Fall MAP Growth assessment will be administered remotely. Should a learning environment shift occur during the Fall MAP test window, students will be administered the Fall MAP test either in a remote or face to face test environment. Please note that no matter the learning or test environment, all students will be afforded the opportunity to participate in the Fall MAP test administration.

MAP Growth tests from NWEA® are unique in that they are adaptive tests taken on a computer or tablet. This means the test questions will become more difficult when your child answers a question correctly and easier when your child answers a question incorrectly. The information presented on the test is aligned with the Georgia Department of Education curriculum and is the same information that your child should have already been exposed to in school.

If, based on your child’s IEP, 504-IAP, or EL-TPC plan, there are allowable accommodations that your child may receive on the Fall MAP assessment they will be provided as outlined in their plans.

Each remote MAP Growth test session will consist of up to nine students (eight students, plus your child). Each face to face test administration will consist of up to twelve students (eleven students, plus your child).

Below are instructions on how to prepare your child for their virtual MAP Growth assessments. 

Prior to Test Day

1. Make sure your child’s device has an internet connection. 

2. Make sure your device meets testing requirements using the Workstation Diagnostic Tool at https://check.nwea.org/

3. Make sure your child has headphones (Grades K – 2 and students with text to speech accommodations). Please contact your school if headphones are needed. 

4. Watch the MAP Growth introduction video https://studentresources.nwea.org/app/k_two/what's_this_test_about.html

5. Practice the test at https://practice.mapnwea.org/#/practice-landing         (Username: grow Password: grow)

On Test Day

1. Minimize distractions for your child as much as possible.

2. Provide a quiet testing environment.

3. Follow all instructions from the teacher/proctor. For more information about MAP Growth, visit: NWEA.org/Parent-Toolkit. If you have any additional questions, please contact Simone Willingham at [email protected]

Sincerely,

Joan Ray

Principal, Fernbank Elementary School