Beginning this year, the district will be requiring a Winter MAP for all students in Grades 3-5. In addition, the state has asked districts to carefully consider the amount of standardized assessments they require. Edina Public Schools values the annual growth data provided by the NWEA MAP assessment and will continue to capture this each winter. By strategically placing this test in the winter, teachers and staff can immediately utilize results for the remainder of the school year. These results not only inform instructional needs, but also student learning. We hope this change results in more flexibility for all stakeholders. In addition, we are reviewing the purpose and future use of the CoGAT instrument and will provide further details as they become available from our GT Study Committee.

All third, fourth, and fifth graders will be taking the MAP (Measure of Academic Progress) in math and reading this winter. The window opens on Tuesday, January 12 and runs through February 2. (Your child's teacher will let you know when these tests are scheduled.) These un-timed, computerized, district-required, adaptive tests are used to measure student progress over time; they are a growth tool and are aligned with MCA cut scores and ACT benchmarks.

Although there is no way to study for the MAP test, like any regular school day, academic performance will be higher with a good night's sleep, a healthy breakfast and regular exercise. You will be able to access your child's MAP results via School View within several days of the close of the testing window.