i-Ready and MAP testing set to begin Monday

Photo of computer workstation

Beginning on Monday, December 3, our students will be taking a growth monitoring test similar to the one that they took at the beginning of the school year. For elementary students and all of Lynn Camp, this is the iReady diagnostic and for Knox Middle and Knox Central this is the MAP assessment.

Both assessments are designed to provide teachers with a method of monitoring student growth during the school year.

Information for those taking i-Ready
The i-Ready Diagnostic is an adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions to suit your child’s needs. Each item a student sees is individualized based on his or her answer to the previous question. For example, a series of correct answers will result in slightly harder questions, while a series of incorrect answers will yield slightly easier questions. The purpose of this is not to give your child a score or grade, but instead to determine how best to support your child’s learning.

A benefit of your child trying their best on the i-Ready diagnostic is it will provide personalized learning after the assessment is complete. i-Ready Instruction provides students with lessons based on their individual skill level and needs, so your child can learn at a pace that is just right for him or her. These lessons are fun and interactive, with games and characters to keep your child engaged as they learn. Many of our teachers use this as enrichment, intervention, and non-traditional instruction.

Information for those taking MAP
Similar to i-Ready, MAP Growth tests are unique in that they adapt to your child’s level of learning. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If they answer incorrectly, the next one is easier. This results in a detailed picture of what your child knows and is ready to learn—whether it is on, above, or below their grade level.

What can I do to help?
Both the i-Ready diagnostic and MAP assessment should be treated as any other important test that your child takes. The score that he or she receives on the assessment is an indication of their growth and needs. Be sure to encourage them to:
·        Get a good night’s sleep and eat a full breakfast the day of the assessment.
·        Try their best on each question and try not to rush.
·        Try not to worry about questions they do not know—remind them that it is expected they will get about half of the questions correct.

The Knox County Public Schools, through our critical standards, individual data analysis in professional learning communities, and many intervention/enrichment opportunities are focused on your child’s individual growth and achievement.

Again, the testing window will begin on Monday, December 3 and continue through the end of the semester. Your child will not be testing every day, rather, this testing window allows us to focus on individual grade and content areas and provide opportunities for make-up testing before winter break.

If you have any questions about i-Ready, MAP, or tests that your child takes during the school year please contact your school’s principal or building assessment coordinator.