MAP Grade Level Assessments

Grade Level Assessments (GLAs) are yearly, standards-based tests that measure specific skills defined for each grade by the state of Missouri.  All Tillman students in grades 3-5 will participate in ELA and math assessments, with science assessments also administered in 5th grade.  Grade-Level Assessments provide important information that informs decisions about individual students, groups of students, and educational programs. 

The 2024 Grade Level Assessments in ELA, math, and science are aligned to the Missouri Learning Standards (2016), and thus to our KSD curriculum.

Tillman's Spring 2024 testing window for 3rd-5th grade students will be April 23-May 16, with exact dates visible on our MAP schedule site.  Students with specific accommodations may extend beyond these testing dates.

Grade Level Assessments in all grades will include traditional multiple-choice items and technology-enhanced items designed to elicit student knowledge and skills in new ways.  All grades will also complete a short performance event in math (15-30 minutes).  Fourth graders will complete a writing prompt item in ELA.  Science assessments will also include constructed-response items.

• ELA Assessments consist of either three sessions (grades 3/5) or four sessions (grade 4).  In 4th grade, the first session will include passage-based items – including a passage-based writing prompt to be scored on a ten-point rubric.  All sessions will contain selected-response and technology-enhanced items.
• Math assessments consist of three sessions.  The first and second sessions include selected-response and technology enhanced items.  The third session includes a performance event.
• Science assessments consist of two sessions, each including constructed response, multiple-choice, and technology-enhanced items.

The Grade-Level Assessments include multiple types of questions or items:

• Selected Response (also known as multiple choice) items are composed of a question followed by a series of possible responses. Students must select the correct response or responses.

• Constructed Response or Short Text items require students to supply an appropriate response rather than making a selection from a list of choices.

• Performance Tasks/Events allow students to work through more complicated items using real-world scenarios.

• Writing Task items require students to write either a narrative, information/explanatory, or opinion/argumentative essay.

Did you know there are twelve words that tend to give students more trouble than others on standardized tests, even when they might otherwise know the answer?  Learn more on our Power Words site.

Tillman teachers identified ten specific tips to help our students be and do their best on standardized tests.  To learn more, visit our Testing Tips site.

Your child will receive an Individual Student Report (ISR), likely in the early fall.  This will include an Achievement Level, describing his or her performance as Below Basic, Basic, Proficient, or Advanced. The report will also include a short description of the knowledge and skills that are typically demonstrated by students at each Achievement Level.

The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) publishes a Guide to Interpreting Results (GIR) that provides additional details about the content of the Individual Student Reports. The GIR is available on the DESE website at http://dese.mo.gov/college-career-readiness/assessment/grade-level 

Additional information about the MAP grade level assessments can be found below, linked to the Department of Elementary & Secondary Education website (DESE).

• MO Grade Level Assessments
• Missouri Learning Standards (DESE site)