Agenda Item
G.03. Agreement with Northwest Evaluation Association to Provide Computerized Adaptive Tests for Participating Schools in Literacy and Mathematics (Board Policy: OE-10)
Meeting:09/08/2009
Category:G. STUDENT INSTRUCTIONAL MATTERS
Agenda Type:Action (Consent)Preferred Date:
Fiscal Impact:YesAbsolute Date:
Dollar Amount:$350,800.00Budgeted:Yes
Budget Source:General Funds-Testing Unit
Agenda Item Content
RECOMMENDATION: Approve Agreement with Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) to provide computerized adaptive tests for participating schools in literacy and mathematics in designated grades from September 9, 2009 through September 8, 2010.

FISCAL IMPACT: The total amount of this Agreement is not to exceed $350,800.00, to be paid from general funds, budget string: 5473-0000-00-4305-3160-0000-01000-0000. This cost is based on a maximum of 28,064 students at $13.50 per student. The per-student price includes on-site administrator training for up to 150 district staff members, and on-site "trainer of trainers" professional development for up to 50 district staff members. The Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) program was identified for implementation in the district's 2009-10 Strategic Plan and funding has been allocated for this purpose.

BACKGROUND: The Northwest Evaluation Association's (NWEA) assessments computerized adaptive Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) tests provide educators the information they need to improve teaching and learning. Educators use the growth and achievement data from MAP tests to develop targeted instructional strategies and to plan school improvement. MAP test results help educators to make student-focused, data-driven decisions (See Exhibit I for additional information).

  • Highlighted features of MAP tests:
  • They provide a challenging test for every student. Students are not expected to get every question right or every question wrong.
  • They are dynamically built based on the achievement level of the student and will give accurate and reliable information for every student.
  • They are untimed. Students should be given as much time as needed to complete a test, as long as they are making progress.
  • Tests are given for internal accountability. They provide educators information about students within the district, school, or classroom and are used for their own purposes.
  • They measure growth and show how students are progressing. Because the data can be looked at historically and is consistent from season to season, growth can be measured.
  • Results are received immediately. They are displayed at the end of the test event.
  • Students can be tested up to four times a year in Reading, Language Usage and Mathematics in order to monitor their growth.

    Up to 42 elementary/K-8, 13 middle and six high schools will participate in this program. There are also benefits specific to district schools in that the use of MAPs eliminates the need to administer the Gates/McGinitie test, and more significantly, MAPs will effectively serve as a specialized learning contract for struggling students.

    [Originator/Contact: Darryl LaGace, Chief Information and Technology Officer, 619.260.5473, dlagace@sandi.net]

    NWEA Master Subscription Agreement.pdfMAPs overview.pdf


    Created on 08/25/2009 at 06:50 PM by Marty Stultz. Last update on 09/02/2009 by Josefina Viorato.