MAP-A
Quick Links
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 https://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 Resource MAP-A Teacher Guidance Description This is a must-read overview of the MAP-A program duties for teachers, including weblinks for more information. Resource MAP-A DTC Guidance Description This is a quick description of the duties for the MAPA district test coordinator, including weblinks for more information. Resource Helpful Reminders (4/6/23) Description 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. Resource Number of Required Testlets (8/2/23) Description Reference chart to view the number of testlets required per grade and subject to completely cover the Blueprints. Resource Scoring and Reporting for Data Managers (8/3/23) Description 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. Resource Translation Guide -- Enrollment (8/12/24) Description 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. Resource Translation Guide -- Roster (8/12/24) Description 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. Resource Translation Guide -- User (8/12/24) Description 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. Resource MAPA Quality Assurance Forms: (Word) or (PDF)
Online Final Submission FormDescription School District personnel are asked to complete a self-evaluation quality assurance form each year for their MAPA program and enter the answers on the collection link found on the forms. - Eligibility
MAP-A Eligibility
- Manuals
Manuals
Manual Description Updated Manual Accessibility Manual (ADA compliant) Description This manual provides guidance in the selection and use of the accessibility supports available in the DLM Alternate Assessment System. Updated 7/1/24 Manual Assessment Coordinator Manual (ADA compliant) Description 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. Updated 7/1/24 Manual Data Management Manual Description This manual provides data managers information to upload users and enroll and roster students. Updated 8/6/2024 Manual Educator Portal User Guide Description This guide provides teachers, MDTCs, and data managers with step-by-step instruction to manage student information and access reports. Updated 8/9/2024 Manual Facilitator Guide to Required Test Administrator Training (ADA compliant) Description This guide provides assistance to trainers in preparing and delivering training to teachers who must take the Required Training. Updated 6/6/24 Manual Guide to DLM Required Test Administrator Training (ADA compliant) Description This guide provides teachers information to study to pass the Required Training. Updated 7/12/24 Manual Guide to Practice Activities & Released Testlets Description This guide provides educators and students with practice activities and released testlets to prepare for the two testing windows. Updated 7/26/24 Manual Kite Parent Portal User Guide for Staff District Description This guide provides MDTCs instructions to use the Parent Portal. Updated 8/6/24 Manual Parent Portal User Guide for Parents Description This guide provides parents instructions to help them access their student’s Individual Student Score Reports. Updated 8/6/24 Manual Technology Specifications Manual (ADA compliant) Description This manual provides technology personnel with knowledge and tools to manage the assessment. Updated 7/31/24 Manual Test Administration Manual (ADA compliant) Description This manual provides teachers with knowledge and tools needed to prepare for and administer the assessment. Updated 8/1/24 - 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 Blueprint English Language Arts Description Blueprint of Essential Elements for English Language Arts (08/04/2020)
Blueprint Mathematics Description Blueprint of Essential Elements for Mathematics (08/04/2020)
Blueprint Science Description 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 DescriptionsTested Essential Elements
View the descriptions of each linkage level in the mini-map and compare the Essential Element to the Grade Level StandardEssential Elements Crosswalk to MLS
Compare Missouri Learning Standards to Essential ElementsMathematics Essential Elements
Details and DescriptionsTested 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 ElementsScience Essential Elements
Details and DescriptionsTested Essential Elements
View the descriptions of each linkage level in the mini-map and compare the Essential Element to the Grade Level StandardEssential Elements Crosswalk to MLS
Compare Missouri Learning Standards to Essential ElementsPerformance Level Descriptors
Overview of the knowledge, skills, and understandings students typically demonstrate at specific performance levels on DLM assessments.
- Performance Level Descriptors in English Language Arts
- Performance Level Descriptors in Mathematics
- Performance Level Descriptors in Science
Other Resources
Resource Notes Resource Closing Kite Student Portal on a Mac Notes Closing Kite Student Portal on a Mac computer via the red circle button will lead to an error message. Please close with exit features. Resource DLM Accessibility Supports Notes View details for the accessibility supports chosen in the Personal Needs Profile to assist students taking testlets. Resource DLM Core 40 Vocabulary Words Notes Teachers may create groupings of words from this list that could help students with both communication and language growth. Resource First Contact Survey Questions Notes 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. Resource Kite Collector Observation Questions—Teacher Administered
Kite Collector Observation Questions—Student Answered Independently
Notes List of questions to complete to gather testlet observation information to assist DLM’s improvement of the testing process. Resource Kite Collector Guidance Notes Instructions and procedures to collect testlet observation information. Resource Kite Collector Login Screen Notes Missouri’s user name is StateUserMO. Missouri’s password is AtlasMO. Resource Number of Required Testlets Chart Notes Reference chart to view the number of testlets required per grade and subject to completely cover the Blueprints. Resource Submitting Student Writing Samples Notes Instructions for uploading writing samples in Kite Educator Portal for writing sample collections. - Training
Training
Resource Description Resource Description 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. Resource MAP-A Teacher Guidance Description This is a must-read overview of the MAP-A program duties for teachers, including weblinks for more information. Resource MAP-A DTC Guidance Description This is a quick description of the duties for the MAPA district test coordinator, including weblinks for more information. Resource Description View the video trainings for District Test Coordinators, Data Managers and Technology Directors.
View the interactive training for District Test Coordinators, Data Managers and Technology Directors.
Resource Teacher Training for Educator Portal Description View short videos on features and procedures in Educator Portal for Instructionally Embedded States Resource Teacher Training on DLM Content Description View suggested teaching lessons for MAP-A students organized by claim or domain. Resource Professional Development Tracking Sheet Description Check-off sheet with DLM Professional Development trainings listed. Resource Score Report Videos Description View videos explaining Individual Student Score report content and use for Instructionally Embedded States - Parent Information
Parent Information
Explanation of the MAP-A Program:
- Brochures Regarding the Alternate Assessment—Click on a language:
- English | Arabic | Bosnian | Serbo Croatian | Spanish | Vietnamese | Laotian
- Future of Opportunity—available in English
- Future Opportunity—disponible en Español
Individual Student Report Information:
- Parent Interpretive Guide—in English
- Parent Interpretive Guide—en Español
- Sample Letter To Parents - from the teacher, principal or superintended as a cover letter with ISRs. The document below, entitled Talking to Parents about Score Reports, may also be attached.
- Talking to Parents about Score Reports —to help parents
Remote Learning:
- EMBARC Curriculum—Learning activities for students with severe cognitive disabilities. Curriculum units are aligned with the strands and domains of the Missouri Learning Standards, on which the Essential Elements for the MAP-A achievement standards are based.
- See instructions for BYOC in this PowerPoint: Finding an Activity.
- MSSD Curriculum and Pacing Guides - School personnel may use the state school curriculum and support documents for free.
- DLM Instructional Resources for Instructionally Embedded States—View Essential Elements, Familiar Texts, and Sample Testlets for ELA, math, and science.
- DLM Missouri Resources for Parents and School Staff—View the entire collection of resource documents and videos for ELA, math, and science.
- Guide to Practice Activities and Released Testlets (Updated 8/6/24)—A manual with practice testlets for educators, parents, and students.
- Home Learning Resources for Parents—English language arts, math, and science links from DLM.
- Home Learning Resources for Teachers—English language arts, math, and science links from DLM.
- Social Media Connections—View home learning resources links from Atlas on Twitter and Facebook.
- Brochures Regarding the Alternate Assessment—Click on a language:
Important Dates
| Dates | Event |
|---|---|
| September 09, 2024 to December 20, 2024 | MAP-A Fall 2024 Required Instructionally Embedded testing window |
| February 03, 2025 to May 16, 2025 | MAP-A Spring 2025 Required Instructionally Embedded Testing Window |
| September 08, 2025 to December 19, 2025 | MAP-A Fall 2025 Required Instructionally Embedded Testing Window |
| February 09, 2026 to May 15, 2026 | MAP-A Spring 2026 Required Instructionally Embedded Testing Window |
| September 14, 2026 to December 18, 2026 | MAP-A Fall 2026 Required Instructionally Embedded Testing Window |
| February 01, 2027 to May 21, 2027 | MAP-A Spring 2027 Required Instructionally Embedded testing window |