MAP-A

The Missouri Assessment Program-Alternate Assessment (MAP-A) is administered to students with the most significant cognitive disabilities who meet grade level and eligibility criteria that are determined by the student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP) team using DESE-established eligibility criteria. No student may be tested outside of their assigned grade level.

If the MAP-A assessment is given to more than 1% of the total tested population (per content area), the district must provide justification for exceeding the 1% participation rule for Special Education Compliance monitoring purposes.

The MAP-A achievement standards are aligned with Missouri's Learning Standards, and students who take the MAP-A Assessment do not participate in Grade-Level or End-of-Course assessments. MAP-A uses the Dynamic Learning Map (DLM®) instructionally embedded assessment model.

The MAP-A is administered by educators in three content areas:

  • English language arts in grades 3-8 and 11
  • Mathematics in grades 3-8 and 11
  • Science in grades 5, 8 and 11

NOTE: Districts may wish to also administer the MAP-A ELA and Math assessments to students in grade 9 and 10 (plus 12 for ELA); the Science assessment in grades 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, and 12 for local assessment use. Please refer to Form E.

The Dynamic Learning Maps® (DLM®) alternate assessment project offers an innovative way for all students with significant cognitive disabilities to demonstrate their learning throughout the school year via the DLM Alternate Assessment System (see http://www.dynamiclearningmaps.org). By integrating assessment with instruction during the year and providing a year-end assessment, the DLM system aligns student learning with college and career readiness standards in English language arts, mathematics and science.

The DLM system is accessible by students with significant cognitive disabilities, including those who have hearing/visual disabilities, and/or neuromuscular or orthopedic motor disabilities. Assessments produced by the DLM consortium are flexible. They allow for the use of common assistive technologies in addition to keyboard and mouse and touch-screen technology.

Missouri uses the Instructionally Embedded Assessment Model for ELA and math; and the Year End Assessment Model for science.

Administration

Administration Resources

Resource Description
MAP-A Responsibilities for School District Personnel (8/3/23) This includes a list of MAP-A responsibilities, deadlines, who should complete the tasks, and where to find more information.
Helpful Reminders (4/6/23) The Helpful Reminders document provides tips, clarification, and reminders about important test administration considerations. The Test Administration Manual, Accessibility Manual, and Educator Portal User Guide provide more detailed information.
Number of Required Testlets (8/2/23) Reference chart to view the number of testlets required per grade and subject to completely cover the Blueprints.
Scoring and Reporting for Data Managers (8/3/23) A guide that explains the individual student score reports and group results provided by Dynamic Learning Maps to local administrators such as principals and superintendents.
Translation Guide -- Enrollment (7/31/23) This spreadsheet provides guidance to the user on how to complete the DLM CSV enrollment template to upload students for enrollment. Find the template at https://dynamiclearningmaps.org/missouri under Enrollment.
Translation Guide -- Roster (7/31/23) This spreadsheet provides guidance to the user on how to complete the DLM CSV roster template to upload students to create rosters. Find the template at https://dynamiclearningmaps.org/missouri under Roster.
Translation Guide -- User (7/31/23) This spreadsheet provides guidance to the user on how to complete the DLM CSV user template to upload teachers and other Educator Portal users. Find the template at https://dynamiclearningmaps.org/missouri under User.
Eligibility

MAP-A Eligibility

Manuals

Manuals

Manual Description Updated
Accessibility Manual (ADA compliant) This manual provides guidance in the selection and use of the accessibility supports available in the DLM Alternate Assessment System. 6/30/23
Assessment Coordinator Manual (ADA compliant) This manual provides assessment coordinators (MDTCs) with information to support data managers, technology personnel, and test administrators (teachers) to prepare for assessment. MDTCs serve as the main point of contact for DESE, RPDCs, DLM Service Desk, and district educators. 7/1/23
Data Management Manual This manual provides data managers information to upload users, and enroll and roster students. 8/30/23
Educator Portal User Guide  This guide provides teachers, MDTCs, and data managers with step-by-step instruction to manage student information and access reports. 8/24/23
Facilitator Guide to Required Test Administrator Training (ADA compliant) This guide provides assistance to trainers in preparing and delivering training to teachers who must take the Required Training. 8/1/23
Guide to DLM Required Test Administrator Training (ADA compliant) This guide provides teachers information to study to pass the Required Training. 8/1/23
Guide to Practice Activities & Released Testlets This guide provides educators and students with practice activities and released testlets to prepare for the two testing windows. 8/1/23
Kite Parent Portal User Guide for District Staff This guide provides MDTCs instructions to use the Parent Portal. 8/1/23
Parent Portal User Guide for Parents This guide provides parents instructions to help them access their student’s Individual Student Score Reports. 8/1/23
Technology Specifications Manual (ADA compliant) This manual provides technology personnel with knowledge and tools to manage the assessment. 7/21/23
Test Administration Manual (ADA compliant) This manual provides teachers with knowledge and tools needed to prepare for and administer the assessment. 8/1/23

Resources

Blueprints

Similar to a blueprint for a building, a test blueprint serves as a guide for test construction and content areas covered to guide educators’ instruction on the Essential Elements.

Blueprint Description
English Language Arts

Blueprint of Essential Elements for English Language Arts (08/04/2020)

Mathematics

Blueprint of Essential Elements for Mathematics (08/04/2020)

Science Blueprint of Essential Elements for Science (08/18/2020)

Essential Elements

The Dynamic Learning Maps Essential Elements are specific statements of knowledge and skills linked to the grade-level expectations.

English Language Arts Essential Elements
Details and Descriptions
Tested Essential Elements
View the descriptions of each linkage level in the mini-map and compare the Essential Element to the Grade Level Standard
Essential Elements Crosswalk to MLS
Compare Missouri Learning Standards to Essential Elements
Mathematics Essential Elements
Details and Descriptions
Tested Essential Elements
View the descriptions of each linkage level in the mini-map and compare the Essential Element to the Grade Level Standard.
Essential Elements Crosswalk to MLS
Compare Missouri Learning Standards to Essential Elements
Science Essential Elements
Details and Descriptions
Tested Essential Elements
View the descriptions of each linkage level in the mini-map and compare the Essential Element to the Grade Level Standard
Essential Elements Crosswalk to MLS
Compare Missouri Learning Standards to Essential Elements

Performance Level Descriptors

Overview of the knowledge, skills, and understandings students typically demonstrate at specific performance levels on DLM assessments.


Other Resources

Resource Notes
Closing Kite Student Portal on a Mac Closing Kite Student Portal on a Mac computer via the red circle button will lead to an error message. Please close with exit features.
DLM Accessibility Supports View details for the accessibility supports chosen in the Personal Needs Profile to assist students taking testlets.
DLM Core 40 Vocabulary Words Teachers may create groupings of words from this list that could help students with both communication and language growth.
First Contact Survey Questions View the questions for the First Contact Survey (FCS). The FCS must be submitted before testlets will be generated. System-recommended Linkage Levels for testing are based on the FCS.
Kite Collector Questions List of questions to complete to gather testlet observation information to assist DLM’s improvement of the testing process.
Kite Collector Guidance Instructions and procedures to collect testlet observation information.
Kite Collector Login Screen Missouri’s user name is StateUserMO. Missouri’s password is AtlasMO.
Number of Required Testlets Chart   Reference chart to view the number of testlets required per grade and subject to completely cover the Blueprints.
Submitting Student Writing Samples Instructions for uploading writing samples in Kite Educator Portal for writing sample collections.
Training

Training

Resource Description

MAP-A Training PowerPoint

MAP-A Training Script

MAPA training presentation for all school district personnel who work with the MAPA program, including MAPA district test coordinators, data managers, teacher trainers, and teachers.

District Staff Training for Educator Portal View training for District Test Coordinators, Data Managers and Technology Directors
Teacher Training for Educator Portal View short videos on features and procedures in Educator Portal for Instructionally Embedded States
Teacher Training on DLM Content View suggested teaching lessons for MAP-A students organized by claim or domain.
Professional Development Tracking Sheet Check-off sheet with DLM Professional Development trainings listed.
Score Report Videos View videos explaining Individual Student Score report content and use for Instructionally Embedded States
Parent Information

Parent Information

Explanation of the MAP-A Program:


Individual Student Report Information:

Remote Learning:

Important Dates

Dates Event
September 11, 2023 to December 22, 2023 MAP-A Fall 2023 Required Instructionally Embedded Window
February 05, 2024 to May 17, 2024 MAP-A Spring 2024 Required Instructionally Embedded Window