Understanding the CogAT, ITBS, MAP and Challenge Notes

Understanding the CogAT, ITBS, MAP and Challenge Why do we give standardized tests? • • • • To improve instruction To help us understand how your child learns To identify relative strengths and weaknesses To help identify students for gifted programming Norm-referenced Tests • • Standards set based on results of a “norming population” Large group of students balanced for factors like race, income level, section of the country, rural vs. urban, etc. Advantages • • Allows us to compare the achievement levels of our students to a nationally representative group of students One measure that can be used to track your child’s growth & progress ITBS Scores • • • National Stanine (NS) Predicted National Rank (PNPR) National Percentile Rank (NPR) National Stanine (NS) • • • • Scores range from 1 to 9 1, 2, 3 are considered low 4, 5, 6 are considered average 7, 8, 9 are considered high Why do you have a stanine score? • • Mathematicians use stanine scores to indicate statistical significance to show where a student’s score falls on the bell-shaped curve National Percentile Rank (NPR) • • • 1 – 99 50 is average Tells what percent of the NATIONAL norming group got a lower score on the test If a student’s NPR is 75 … • • 75% of the students in the norming group scored lower than this student Think of a line of 99 students; your student scored better than 75 in the line National Percentile Rank • Does not mean the student got 75% of the answers correct • • Remember 50th% is average NPR is a comparison % Predicted National Percentile Rank – PNPR • • • • When a student takes the CogAT along with ITBS, a PNPR is shown This is a prediction or estimate of ITBS scores after seeing your child’s CogAT (ability) scores The purpose of this score is to examine if your child actually performed in the NPR at a similar rate as predicted by the PNPR. If your child’s NPR is equal or greater than the PNPR, then he/she is working up to his or her potential. Bar Graph • • • 1-25 is considered low 26-75 is considered middle 76-99 is considered high Cognitive Abilities Test Commonly referred to as CogAT CogAT Scores • • • • basically what your child brings to school Do not have as much to do with what your child has learned at school Provide a narrow measure of the degree of readiness to perform well in an academic situation Are not IQ scores which measure a broader spectrum of abilities Primary Purposes • • • Identify students’ strong and weak areas Assist in making instructional decisions approved assessment for SC gifted/talented aptitude identification 4 Abilities Measured • • • • Verbal – how students process and receive information using language Quantitative - how students process and receive information using numbers Nonverbal – abstract and non-routine thinking – uses shapes and patterns – novel problem solving Composite – general level of cognitive school ability – based on all 3 components Two Types of Scores • • Age – compared to other children in the norming population who are in the same age group Grade - compared to other children in the norming population who are in the second grade Age Scores: compare to students of the same chronological age • • • Standard Age Score- 89-111 is average NPR – 50 is average Stanine-4-6 is average Grade Scores: compare to students of the same grade • • NPR – 50 is average Stanine- 4-6 is average CogAT Bar Graph • • • • From 1 – 25 is considered low From 25 – 75 is considered middle From 75 – 99 is considered high Good place to spot relative strengths and weaknesses ITBS Predicted National Percentile Rank – PNPR Uses CogAT ability score to predict the achievement level on ITBS CogAT Profile • • • Look at each individual score Not just the composite Looking for a picture of how your child learns 6E(V-N+) • • • • • • • Number – middle stanine Letter – ➢ A – about same on all 3 areas (~ 33% of students) ➢ B – one score is above or below other 2 (~ 40%) ➢ C – marked contrast – relative strength or weakness (~ 14%) ➢ E – extreme variation – at least 2 scores differ by 24 or more points (~ 14%) Parenthesis – relative strengths and weaknesses Stanine 6 – higher range of average Extreme variation - at least 2 scores differ by 24 or more points V- means a relative weakness in the verbal area N+ means a relative strength in the nonverbal area Challenge Qualifications • • 3 possible areas: APTITUDE, ACHIEVEMENT, PERFORMANCE Must qualify in 2 of the 3 areas (exception is if Aptitude score is 96% or greater) How are CogAT scores used for Challenge qualifications? • • Composite (total) Age Percentile Rank of 96% or higher on CogAT (or another approved aptitude test) automatically qualifies 93% or higher on Verbal or Nonverbal or Quantitative or Composite gives 1 of 2 required qualifying scores; now must meet criteria in Achievement or Performance Achievement • • • • Tests used: MAP, ITBS, SC State testing (PASS, SC Ready, ACT Aspire, etc), or another nationally normed achievement test Scores needed: Math 94NP or higher on TOTAL MATH for 2nd graders or Reading Comprehension 94NP or higher MAP 94% or higher in Math or Reading Specific scores on SC State testing are decided on each year