How to Use I-Cue: Interpreting Data
MAP Test
NWEA’s Measures of Academic Progress
The MAP test, Measures of Academic Progress, is a state aligned computerized adaptive test that accurately reflects the instructional level of each student and measures growth over time.
The assessment itself is unique in that it adapts to the student’s ability, accurately measuring what a child knows and needs to learn. In addition, MAP tests measure academic growth over time, independent of grade level or age. Most importantly, the results educators receive have practical applications for teaching in learning using the Decart System.
How do you access MAP scores in I-Cue?
Here is what you see for the MAP scores.
MATH
READING
You can sort the data by any of the descriptors on the top of the table by clicking on the descriptor that you would like ordered.
FOR EXAMPLE: To order your students from highest to lowest Lexile, click on the LEXILE (LEX) score and I-Cue will reorganize the data by Lexile.
What do the scores mean?
Score 1 RIT
RIT is the student’s overall score on the test. This is one of the most important pieces of information on the whole report. This score is unrelated to the age or grade of the student, but reflects the level at which the student is currently performing. RIT stands for Rasch Unit. The RIT is a unit of measure that uses individual item difficulty values to estimate student achievement. The RIT score is used to tell how much growth a student has made. The RIT score shows the instructional level at which the student is currently performing.
Score 2 PER: Percentile
A percentile ranking represents how well a student performs compared to other students in a nationwide norm sample for their grade. Percentile means the student scored as well as or better than that percent of students taking the test in his or her grade. Percentile is NOT related to the percent of correct answers a student got on the test. Percentile is not a good method for measuring growth in students because students who achieve typical growth will remain at approximately the same percentile score over time.
Score 3 SEER
The Standard Error of measurement is an estimate of the precision of the achievement (RIT) score. The smaller the standard error, the more precise the achievement estimate is.
Following the three overall scores, you have each standard RIT score as well as a Goal Area Descriptor (DESC) which is reported as HIGH, AVERAGE, or LOW.
In order to understand what types of questions are asked in each of the strands use the Math RIT Scores Document (link) and the Reading RIT Scores Document (link).
On average, a student’s MAP percentile tends to be higher than their MCA percentile. This is because MAP percentile is weighted against the national group of students taking the test and the MCA is weighted against all the students in Minnesota taking the test. Students in Minnesota tend to achieve higher than the national average.
What do the scores mean for this child, at this grade level?
When would I use this data?
Students take the MAP test in the Fall of each school year 2nd grade through 6th grade. You should be able to access your MAP scores in 24 hours on the NWEA.org website, however your MAP scores won’t be loaded into I-Cue for a few weeks. MAP scores are sent to TIES to be uploaded in I-Cue. Your Technology Integration Specialist will let you know when they are uploaded to I-CUE.
Teachers use MAP test data to view growth from school year to school year. Viewing a students growth is an important part of the MAP test. Teachers should also compare students RIT scores to the 2005 RIT growth norms (listed above). Again, the RIT is the instructional level of the child.
View each child and notice which strand they score highest and lowest. Use DesCartes to plan instruction to help students.
Sort your class list by LEXILE and use this as one set of data in which to make book groups and/or provide instructional level novels for students. Parents also may want to be aware of their child’s LEXILE so they can help their child choose appropriate books.
Search for the LEXILE of novels at:
After viewing the data for your class, visit the NWEA.org DesCartes Instructional Planning Resources website at
Also use the DesCartes User’s Guide (link) to help navigate this resource.
Who can I team with for help?
Grade level team members
Literacy Coach
Special Education Teacher (if applicable by student)
Technology Integration Specialist
DRAFT- Schroeder 2-29-08