A comparison of the NWEA measures of academic progress and the Missouri Assessment Program

Abstract

The Missouri Assessment Program's (MO MAP) required yearly assessment was compared with the computer-adaptive Northwest Evaluation Association's Measure of Academic Progress (NWEA MAP) test to determine if the NWEA MAP was a good predictor of the MO MAP assessment. Subtest Rasch unit (RIT) scores of the NWEA MAP, as well as the overall RIT scores of the mathematics, language usage, and reading tests were compared with mathematics and communication arts assessments of the MO MAP. Bivariate and multiple regressions suggested that both the subtests and overall RIT scores were good predictors of the MO MAP communication arts and mathematics assessment. Of the NWEA MAP subtests, data and probability was the best predictor of the MO MAP mathematics assessment, strategies of reading process of the NWEA MAP reading test was the best predictor of the MO MAP communication arts assessment, and forms and types of writing of the language usage was the best predictor of the MO MAP communication arts assessment. The research was conducted on data from a middle sized, rural Missouri school district, population of 6th, 7th, and 8th graders for the years of 2005-2007. The findings, although confined to a small population, should prove useful in the decision on whether to employ the NWEA MAP in other Missouri districts.