MAP Testing Is Here. Is Your Elementary Student Ready?

Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) testing began Monday in some of the elementary schools.  Depending on your student's grade level, the test are scheduled to go through Friday.

Elementary schools may begin administering MAP exams, for the annual Grade-Level Assessments exams, and testing must be completed by April 27.

The results are used to measure progress under the federal No Child Left Behind Act and to accredit school districts.

Grade-Level Assessments are tests that are delivered annually each spring in communication arts and mathematics for grades 3-8, and science for grades 5 and 8.

End-of-Course (EOC) Assessments are tests for middle and high school students when the Course-Level Expectations for a particular course have been covered. English II, Algebra I, Biology and Government are required EOC Assessments for all students to satisfy the requirements of No Child Left Behind and the Missouri State Board of Education. Four other EOC assessments are optional: English I, Algebra II, Geometry and American History.

In a move to save $2 million, the state has cut sections of the MAP exam that require the most extensive writing and problem-solving.

principal Patrick Lane emailed parents on Monday to help prepare parents for the week with tips that included reminding parents to try and not to book doctor or dentist appointments during the period.

Additional tips Lane suggested to parents include to:

1. Avoid distracting activities that your child may daydream about during testing. These activities can include simple dentist and doctor appointments the weeks of testing. Watching the clock and waiting to be picked up can certainly be more interesting than testing.
2. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest during testing.
3. Discuss the importance of tests and encourage your child to try his or her best.
4. Be careful not to over-stress your child. Mention that he or she may not know every answer and that this is fine. Explain this way, the test tells teachers and parents where help is needed.
5. A good breakfast can be part of the morning routine. Some children are not hungry in the morning and prefer just milk and toast. Let your child pick what works best for him or her. Other children do not feel right without something to eat and will even eat in the car on the way to school (cereal in a plastic cup, toasted cheese, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, etc.)
6. Get your child to school on time, relaxed and in a learning mood.   

To see where the district fared after last school year's exams see related articles: