This week, high school and junior high students will be taking MAP testing to evaluate their progress made during the 2015-16 school year. The MAP test will measure students on both their math and reading skills. High school students will take the test on April 25 and 26, and junior high students will take the test on April 27 and 28. The test also helps teachers know where to place students who are interested in taking AP or honors classes.

Teachers will compare scores of previous test to the scores of the current test to see where their students are excelling and where they are having trouble. Amy Deffenbacher believes that the test help plan for upcoming years.

“MAP testing helps us measure progress, from testing session to testing session we can see if you have grown or if there are areas that need improvement,” Deffenbacher said. “It helps us to plan for next year and see what different groups of students might need. It also helps us with placement for advanced students who want to take AP or honors classes.”

Students will take the test on either a laptop or an iPad provided by the school. Although many students enjoy taking the test by using technology, others believe the added tech only adds confusion. Katy Blankenship, ‘17, believes it is best to take the test on paper.

“I prefer having a paper test rather than on the iPad,” Blankenship said. “I found it easier to take the test overall. Despite this, I do find it helpful that the test have been updated, so they will now be more accurate. I wish that we could have gotten updated paper test instead of the iPad test though.”

Test results will later be distributed to the parents of students who took the test so that they will also be able to see the progress of their child.

For more information on MAP testing, please contact Amy Deffenbacher or the school office.

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