By Tim Berklich

Clemson University

HRD-845

Will the MAP test offer more useful practice for the PASS test than it did for the PACT test?

Defnition Purpose Test Questions Test Administration Measured By

PACThttp://

ed.sc.gov

PASShttp://

ed.sc.gov

MAPwww.nwea.

orgA standards-based accountability measurement of student achievement in four core academic areas - English language arts (ELA), mathematics, science, and social studies.

Will be aligned to the state academic standards and will include tests in writing, English language arts mathematics, science, and social studies.

State-aligned computerized adaptive tests that accurately reflect the instructional level of each student and measure growth over time.

PACThttp://

ed.sc.gov

PASShttp://

ed.sc.gov

MAPwww.nwea.o

rgTo comprehensively improve the curriculum and instruction in South Carolina's schools.

To assess school, school district, and federal accountability beginning with the 2008-09 school year.

To indicate which students have met the benchmark for the grade, and which students have not yet learned the grade-level material.

PACThttp://

ed.sc.gov

PASShttp://

ed.sc.gov

MAPwww.nwea.

org Each of the four

core subjects will include both multiple-choice and constructed-response items.

Each ELA test also includes one extended writing item.

Each of the four core subjects include only multiple-choice response items.

Each ELA test also includes one extended writing item.

No constructed response items

No extended writing items

PACThttp://

ed.sc.gov

PASShttp://

ed.sc.gov

MAPwww.nwea.o

rg Each student is

given the same test.

Pencil and paper test.

Each student is given the same test.

Pencil and paper test.

The extended response item of the PASS test will be read aloud by the administering teacher.

Test changes; adapts to students ability—See definition.

Teachers are not allowed to read or help students with any portion of the MAP test.

PACThttp://

ed.sc.gov

PASShttp://

ed.sc.gov

MAPwww.nwea.o

rgAcademic progress will be measured by a comparison of the PACT scores for schools, districts, and the State from year to year.

Academic progress will be measured by a comparison of the PASS scores for schools, districts, and the State from year to year.

Academic progress is measured by comparing a student’s fall score to the same student’s spring score.

Can the MAP test effectively predict a student’s achievement on the PACT test or the PASS test?

Grade

Below Basic Basic Proficient

Advanced

3 <193 193-211 212-219 220+4 <202 202-218 219-227 228+5 <212 212-228 229-235 236+6 <215 215-231 232-239 240+7 <223 223-237 238-246 247+8 <228 228-247 248-255 256+

The following chart shows the correlation between the MAP RIT Cut Scores and the PACT Performance Levels. The number values represent the MAP RIT Cut scores that fall under each of the PACT Performance Levels for each grade.

The MAP test is NOT a good form of practice for the PACT or the PASS test.

MAP test results CAN predict, to a certain degree, the results of the PACT/PASS test.

Considering these ideas, as well as other controversies, the MAP test should NOT be incorporated into the yearly test schedule of public South Carolina schools.

Cronin, J. (2004). Aligning the NWEA RIT Scale with the South Carolina High School Assessment Program (HSAP). Retrieved July 10, 2008, from http://www.nwea.org/assets/research/state/South%20Carolina%20High%20School%20Study%20Full%20Report_07.pdf

Cronin, J. (2004). Aligning the NWEA RIT Scale with South Carolina’s Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests (PACT). Retrieved September 8, 2006, from www.nwea.org.

Northwest Evaluation Association. (2008) Instructional Measure. Retrieved July 10, 2008, from http://www.nwea.org/assessments/instructionalmeasure.asp

Northwest Evaluation Association. (2008). Assessments. Retrieved July 10, 2008, from http://www.nwea.org/assessments/index.asp

South Carolina Department of Education. (2006). Palmetto Achievement Challenge Tests (PACT). Retrieved July 10, 2008, from http://ed.sc.gov/agency/offices/assessment/pact/index.html

South Carolina Department of Education. (2008). Palmetto Assessment of State Standards (PASS). Retrieved October 24, 2008, from http://ed.sc.gov/agency/offices/assessment/pact/index.html.