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The next round of MAP® testing for Seattle’s obsessively tested school kids will be administered as soon as next Monday Dec. 13.
We’ve just learned that parents and guardians who want to opt their kids out of the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP®) test may need to do so for every MAP session — that is, send three separate opt-out letters each year.
One opt-out letter at the beginning of the year may not cover all three testing sessions.
To opt-out of MAP: parents/guardians need to write a short letter to their school’s MAP administrator stating that they want their child to be exempt for that session.
I think a letter to the principal and relevant teachers is also a good idea.
These are the MAP test dates for this academic year, as posted on the SPS site:
Sept. 20-Oct. 15, 2010
Dec. 13-Jan.21, 2010
May 23 – June 14, 2010For more discussion on the pros and cons of the MAP® test, visit the Seattle Public Schools community blog: Map Opt-Out.
–sp.
12/7/10 11:28 AM
High Stakes Testing, Maria Goodloe-Johson
Jim,
The MAP test is to assess where a student is in terms of the material that has been covered in class. The teacher is to take that information and use it to readjust the lesson plan to fit the student’s needs. It is not used to determine whether a student is to move onto the next class. That is based on the final grade that a student received and that grade is based on parameters set by the tests that your student takes that are administered by the teacher.
This has really become an over-testing of our students. The MAP test is pointless in the sense that the teacher is quite capable of knowing where the student is in terms of information provided in the class. That is done by the test created by the teachers. The MAP test doesn’t always test on the material that is being covered in the class so in that sense it’s invalid.
The WASL was also an indicator of where a student was, in some sense, but again was not used to determine if a student should be moved on to the next grade.
I would suggest, if you can, on the days of the MAP test, taking your child to the museum, a library or having some experience outside of the classroom where they can be learning and integrating what they have learned in the classroom.
There is a test that students take to determine whether they will be able to be a part of the APP program. The principal at your daughter’s school will be able to provide you with that information.
Dora
Is there a downside to opting out of MAP? Will it hold my child back? (She’s currently in 2nd grade and doing quite well. Will it hurt her ability to move forward academically? Will it mean she has no chance of getting into APP or Spectrum or the equivalent? I want her to opt out, for several reasons, and I’m hoping other parents will seriously consider doing the same. But I want to know if there is a danger in choosing to do so. Thanks.
These tests, MAPS and MSP, have no bearing on your child’s grades received on report cards or placement for the next year. There should be no consequence for your child not taking these tests. The ACLU is taking complaints from any parents that are threatened with consequences for opting out.
My elementary student’s principal got this reply back from the district:
From: Lewis, Michelle L
Subject: RE: MAP testing
Just a written note from parents to the principal. The note will cover
this window only.
My middle school daughter’s school is saying the same thing about a letter each time to the principal. But they are trying to scare me off by saying how important the test is for placing my daughter in math for next year. “One thing that he pointed out was his concern about ___ not taking the MAP
tests and how that might play into math placement for next year.” Umm, ask her teacher instead of relying on a computer!
I’m just writing 2 letters each now – one opting her out of the winter testing and one for the spring testing. We’ll see how that goes over!
Check with your principal. Mine said she’d heard of no such requirement and we were on the same page re: future MAP testing. I suppose if someone’s principal wanted to be a dick they could require it….