NWEA is a test that measures a students growth throughout the year. It is taken 3 times a year in math and language arts. Each time, students log onto a computer and start a test that changes according to how a student answers a question. If they continuously get correct answers, the questions become harder. Generally, if they are answering wrong to questions, the questions become easier. After about 50-53 questions (on the math assessment), they are finished with the test and are given their score right there. The following are the possible categories that they may fall in:
Exceeds Meets Approaches Falls Far Below | 245 and above 228-244 216-227 1-215 | The main thing that teachers look for is growth. If a student suddenly drops, it shows us that either they did not try on the assessment or there were some serious gaps in their learning. At the beginning and end of every year, teachers use this data to place students into their appropriate classes and create interventions for students that can be done in the classroom. |
Students that place into the high Meets or Exceeds category are usually placed into higher level math classes such as Honors 6th, Advanced 6th/7th, Pre-Algebra, Algebra, or Geometry. Students that place into the low Approaches or Falls Far Below category are usually placed into math intervention, or in very few cases, are brought to the attention of the Special Education department. The last scenario is only if there have been many observations in the classroom of something else contributing to a students' lack of growth.
Some factors that help a student achieve a higher score in math is to take their time (there is no time limit and they can continue at a later date), show all of their work, and be persistent in solving their problems. With this, students can show what they know on the test with their best. I'm sorry, I had to rhyme there. :)
Some factors that help a student achieve a higher score in math is to take their time (there is no time limit and they can continue at a later date), show all of their work, and be persistent in solving their problems. With this, students can show what they know on the test with their best. I'm sorry, I had to rhyme there. :)