Westport Elementary, Middle Schoolers Prep For Achievement Tests

WESTPORT, CT — Westport's elementary and middle school students will be given Measures of Academic Progress Growth tests from Jan. 30 through Feb. 17 to measure academic achievement in reading and mathematics, according to officials.

The tests are from the Northwest Evaluation Association, and are the final such tests for assessment for the 2022-23 school year.

"MAP Growth data helps teachers check student performance by measuring achievement and growth in reading and mathematics," said Anthony Buono, the district's Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, in a letter to parents and guardians. "This also fulfills the universal screening requirements by the State of Connecticut. In addition, MAP Growth helps to track individual student growth year to year. We look forward to learning more about student growth since it was last administered this past fall. The assessment data we obtain informs decision making about curriculum and instruction on a classroom, school, and district level."

Added Ali Moran, Coordinator of Elementary Curriculum for the district, "MAP Growth tests adapt to your child’s responses to measure skill levels. If your child answers a question correctly, the next question is more challenging. If students answer incorrectly, the next question is less challenging. These results will provide a more complete picture of what your child knows and is ready to learn—whether it is on, above, or below grade level."

At the elementary level, some students, depending on performance, may also be given an additional screening tool called the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Literacy Skills, which help educators "to reliably determine if a student is making progress toward long-term goals."

Parents and guardians will receive summary reports of their student's performance following the completion of the tests.