Agenda Item
b. Renewal of Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessment Systems for 2025-2026 (Not to exceed $2,100,000)
Summary: Presented by: Dr. Candace Alexander, Chief, Accountability & Research, Division of Accountability & Research
Request: It is requested that the Board of Education approve the renewal of the Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessment for the 2025-2026 school year in an amount not to exceed $2,100,000.
The requested purchase is an assessment expenditure that does not require bid per the District’s Purchasing Board Policy (DJE).
Why: The DeKalb County School District currently utilizes Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) as a formative, interim assessment in grades K-10 in Reading, Language Usage, Mathematics, and Science. MAP also serves as the District’s universal screener to identify gifted and magnet students, as well as provides supplemental student achievement data to guide Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) at the local school level.
Additionally, the District requires a tool that:
Is Diagnostic (measures student growth and identify students in need of additional support)
Provides students with an online learning path/continuum-based students’ identified need
Allows the District to compare student performance against other students to determine growth and mastery percentile gaps (this is particularly important for our at-risk subgroups)
Allows the District to determine students level of mastery based on state standards and learning criteria (i.e., success criteria and learning targets) using RIT scores
Can be used as a predictor towards the GA Milestones, SAT and ACT
Provides easy to understand data district, school and individual student reports (at the demographic level)
Provides Family Reports
In preparation for the 2025-2026 school year, the requested renewal is to permit the DeKalb County School District to enter into a continued agreement with NWEA to offer district-wide licenses for MAP assessments and to provide professional learning services to ensure all staff build efficiency in the instructional application of assessment data.
Details: This proposed budget item is requesting funds not to exceed $2,100,000 to cover the costs associated with the District renewal of the NWEA MAP assessment system and professional learning services.
NWEA Measures of Academic Progress (MAP) is a suite of assessments that deliver data to make a difference in student progress. MAP Growth measures areas related to the Georgia Standards of Excellence in RIT (Rausch Unit) scores. As a result, educators can easily measure growth in learning through the school year, and from year-to-year in Reading, Math, Language Usage, and Science, which also affords educators the capability to differentiate instruction based on the tool’s functionalities. The tool is built on one of the most robust normative scales in the United States.
MAP assessments are computer-adaptive tests that increase in rigor as students answer items, correctly. When a student incorrectly answers a question, the test becomes less difficult to match the next test item with the student’s academic aptitude. Therefore, a student takes an assessment created explicitly for his or her learning level. In addition, MAP Skills provides each student with his/her own specific learning path that identifies skill gaps and provides activities to help students master specific foundational skills.
Financial impact: The financial impact is an amount, not to exceed, $2,100,000 for FY26. The purchase amount will be paid using general funds budgeted to the Division of Accountability and Research’s Department of Assessment Administration charge code:100.1000.530010.00011.7540.9990.8010.030.0000
Division of Curriculum and Instruction and charge code: 100.2210.530000.00011.7480.9990.8010.035.0000
Federal Programs charge code: 414.2213.530000.37821.7590.1784.8010.030.2026
Contact: Dr. Candace Alexander, Chief, Accountability & Research, Division of Accountability & Research, 678-676-0300
Dr. Felicia G. Rhone, Director, Assessment Administration, Accountability & Research, 678-676-0300
Effective: August 2025
Status: Approved by the Office of Legal Affairs
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nwee Professional Learning
DeKalb County Public Schools
Profess ional Learning Report
June/ Spring
For additional information contact:
Patrice Newnam John Barbato
Professional Learning Consultant Senior Account Manager
Patri Q.e . NewJ]itm@nwe<l~g John .Barbato@hmhco .com
DeKalb County Public Schools Professional Learning Report-June/Spring Data
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Program summary
We are excited to continue our partnership with DeKalb County Schools and support its
schools, leaders, and teachers in a greater effort to improve student outcomes in both
academic achievement and growth . In its ninth year of its partnership, the district
continues with its use of MAp® Growth.... in grades K-12 for Reading, Language Arts, and
Mathematics and in grades 3-8 for Science . The proper use of MAP Growth , with its
relationship to the state's standards and Milestones assessment, helps improve
proficiency in both literacy and numeracy on state assessments and ensures that students
have equitable access to and support for academic programs and courses . Additionally,
MAP(\) Read ing Fluency.... has been implemented across the district in grades K-3 , with
access to Coach (currently) in those Horizon Schools . The use of both MAP Reading
Fluency and Coach, with proper implementation , is intended to increase students' reading
fluency and comprehension and , in turn, increase students ' academic success in all areas.
The use of MAP Reading Fluency also satisfies recent state legislative requirements : House
Bill 538 and Senate Bill48.
In partnership with DeKalb County Schools, NWEA(\) -HMH has developed a comprehensive
professional learning package for the 2024-25 academic year. This initiative is designed to
cultivate high-performing staff and ensure exceptional teaching and learning outcomes.
The package includes 178 days of districtwide learning opportunities that engage
leadership , academic coaches , and teams from Horizon and Area 3 schools , along with
other selected district teams.
To date, we have implemented the following professional learning sessions :
Pre-Testing Training: Four days of targeted training were conducted for Elementary Testing
Coordinators and Assistant Principals prior to fall testing . This training focused on the
effective implementation and administration of MAP Reading Fluency assessments.
District Data Sessions: We have provided 21 days of sessions thus far following the testing
administrations . These sessions were aimed at principals and their teams, and they
primarily focus on MAP Growth instructional data, including:
• The Class Profile report and Learning Continuum in the fall
• A deeper examination of student growth during the winter, utilizing the District Profile,
School Profile, and new Projection reports
• Engagement in collaborative small group discussions to envision what "Eutopia" could
look like in their schools through the innovative use of data, fostering creative strategies
for engaging teachers and students in data-driven conversations and decision-making
DeKalb County Publi c Schools Professi onal Learning Report-June/Spring Data
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• Analyzing district-level grawth data mare deeply using the Premium Growth repart to.
identify trends and patterns in student grawth acrass the district and amang its variaus
areas
• Aligning MAP data and its Learning Cantinuum with the Milestanes assessment and its
blueprint to. implement best practices that suppart targeted instructian and preparatian
befare the state assessment
• Far Elementary Schaal principals, we cantinued to. review the Benchmark Matrix,
Student Prafile, and Instructianal Planning taals to. ensure a rabust understanding af
haw to. maximize the insights fram these reparts. Additianally, we intraduced the
Benchmark Camparisan repart and revisited grade-level expectatians tables to.
enhance camprehensian af students ' pragress in their early literacy jaurneys. With the
district's recent acquisitian af additianallicenses far the Caach platfarm, we ensured
that all participants understaad haw to. access Caach and its role in supporting schaal
initiatives.
School-Based Visits: We have campleted 153 days far schaal-based visits to. 31 Harizon
Schaals, 14 Elementary Area 3 Schaals, and six district-selected Middle Schaals. During
these visits , facilitatars callabarated with grade-level teams during their planning periads to.
analyze MAP Growth data, guide instructianal planning, and establish student gaal-setting
best practices . In participating Elementary Schaals , we also. reviewed MAP Reading Fluency
data and addressed any inquiries. Participants further enhanced their understanding af
Caach, examining bath its practical applicatian and data interpretatian .
During aur final engagement with participating schaals this spring, educatars campleted a
structured reflectian questiannaire designed to. evaluate their wark aver the academic year.
The reflectian prampted them to. identify instructianal strategies they implemented,
successes achieved, areas where autcames fell shart, and gaals far angaing prafessianal
grawth . This pracess fastered thaughtful dialague and callabaratian amang calleagues,
reinfarcing a shared cammitment to. cantinuaus impravement.
This camprehensive prafessianallearning package is strategically designed to. empawer
educatars with the taals and insights necessary to. drive student success across the
district.
In this cammunicatian, we share insights derived fram feedback gathered during schaal
visits by aur facilitatars as well as respanses fram district participants who. engaged in aur
prafessianallearning pragrams. We highly value this feedback because it is instrumental in
aur cantinuaus impravement eHarts. Our gaal is to. deliver prafessianallearning
experiences that empawer teachers to. enhance their skills and , ultimately, drive pasitive
autcames far all students in DeKalb Caunty Schaals.
We laak farward to. callabarating with yau to. ensure that aur prafessianal develapment
initiatives successfully meet the needs af yaur educatars and students alike.
DeKalb County Public Schools Professional Learning Report-June/Spring Data
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Summary of products purchased and delivered
The renewal opportunity facilitated the purchase of various professional learning sessions
focusing on MAP Growth, MAP Reading Fluency, and MAP Reading Fluency (MRF) with
Coach. Sessions emphasized essential report analysis, responsive planning, and goal
setting strategies for educators across the district.
The district secured 12 additional half-day onsite sessions focused on applying essential
reports specifically for teachers . This provided further support for teachers to apply MAP
Growth data eHectively.
As part of this opportunity, several professional learning sessions have been delivered,
focusing on equipping school leaders and teachers with the skills to eHectively analyze and
apply MAP Growth (MG) and MAP Reading Fluency (MRF) with Coach data. These sessions
have provided educators with foundational knowledge and skills to interpret essential MAP
and MAP Reading Fluency with Coach reports and to plan responsive instruction . The large
volume of teacher-focused sessions, particularly in the "Applying Reports" series,
demonstrates significant progress toward reaching the district's strategic goals for
instructional data usage.
Professional learn ing package
Quantity
Expi ration date : July 1, 2025
Professional learning Purchased Delivered Remaining
Pre-Testing Training (days) 4 4 0
District Data Sessions (days) 21 21 0
School-Based Visits (days) 153 153 0
Total days 178 178 0
Total half-days 356 356 0
DeKalb County Public Schools Professional Learning Report-June/Spring Data
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Consultant survey data
Repo rt s Referen ced
38
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The session faci li tate d growth fo r part ic ipants in
thei r und rstandi ng and use of data
• 5 - Strongly Agree
4- Agree
DeKalb County Public Schools Professional Learning Report-June/Spring Data
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I am confi dent that my coac hi ng is ma king a
di ffere nce for th e pa rti cip nt(s)
• 5 - St rongly Agree
4 - Agree
I am developing a rappo rt w ith tile part ici pan t(s)
• 5 - Strongly Agree
4 - Agree
DeKalb County Public Schools Professional Learning Report-June/Spring Data
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The session outco mes aligned with til e identified
goals
• 5 -. Strongly Agree
4 - Agree
• 2 - Disagree
Did you expe rien e any ch ltenges tha t preve nted
you fro m meetin g the goa ls that were ide nti fied for
th e session?
No
• Yes
Positive feedback from teachers underscores the value of the workshops . The participation
of more coaches and administrators enhanced engagement, collaboration, and focus
among attendees. To further strengthen communication and build a more cohesive culture,
it remains essential for the district to ensure timely responses to emails and phone calls
and to clearly communicate the purpose and expectations of each meeting.
DeKalb County Public Schools Professional Learning Report-June/Spring Data
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Participant survey data
The facilitator was know ledgeab le of the sess ion
c ntent
• Stron gly Agree
Agree
• Disagree
• Strongly Disawee
The fac ilitator managed time effectively du rin g the
session
3 3%
• Strongly Agree
Agree
• Disagree
• Strongly Dis(lgr .e
DeKalb County Public Schools Professional Learning Report-June/Spring Data
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Til fac ilitator was prepared for th e session
1% 3%
• Strongly Agree
Agree
• Disagree
• Stron gly Disagree
TIl e facilitatIOn st rategies up ported my learning
3%
2%
• Strongly Agree
Agree
Di sagree
• Strongly Disagree
DeKalb County Public Schools Professional Learning Report-June/Spring Data
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The fac ilitation materials upported my le rn rng
• Stro ngly Agree
Agree
• Disagree
• Strongly Disngr e
The session's content was releva nt to my needs as an
educator
1% 3%
• Strongly Agree
Agree
• Di sagree
• Strongly Disagree
DeKalb County Public Schools Professional Learning Report-June/Spring Data
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Th e stated l arn ing targets or outcomes of the session
were a ll ieved
• Str ongly Aglee
Agree
• Disagree
• Strongly Disagree
I gai ned new knowledge that I ca n use In my own
pro fessional se tting
• Strongly Agree
Agree
• Di sagree
• Stl ongly DIsagree
DeKalb County Public Schools Professional Learning Report-June/Spring Data
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I ga ined new skil ls that I ca n use in my own
profe ssiona l se tting
3% J%
• Slrongly Agree
Agree
• Disagree
• Strongly Dis agree
Most participants found the workshop content highly relevant, reporting significant gains in
knowledge and skills related to data usage . The spring session received outstanding
scores-97% for facilitation and engagement and 96% for applicability-reflecting the
overwhelmingly positive feedback. School leaders continued to express appreciation for
the leadership training and valued the opportunity to bring their teams and collaborate with
other school teams, highlighting a strong interest in collaborative and targeted professional
development in future sessions.
Recommendations and next steps
We look forward to continued collaboration with key district stakeholders to ensure that we
meet the evolving needs of your district. As we begin planning for the 2025-2026 school
year, we are committed to developing a cohesive, strategic plan centered around the
following shared priorities:
• Engaging professional learning sessions at both the district and school levels, designed
to be interactive and hands-on, with meaningful, practical takeaways for participants
• Collaborative learning environments that support productive, district-wide professional
development through spaces conducive to teamwork and active engagement
• Centralized access to resources through a dedicated site, ensuring that stakeholders
consistently have timely access to essential information and resources, while
maintaining compliance with HMH and NWEA intellectual property guidelines
• Consistent communication via a regUlar meeting cadence with key personnel to align
on upcoming professional learning events, reflect on past sessions, and address
evolving needs to ensure that all initiatives are responsive and impactful.
We are excited to begin this planning as we celebrate your 10th Year Anniversary as a MAp®
Partner!
DeKalb County Public Schools Professional Learning Report-June/Spring Data
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NWEA and MAP are registered trademarks, and MAP Growth and MAP Reading Fluency a's trademar~s, of HMH Education Company in the US
and ill other countries.
The names of other companies and then products mentIoned are the aademarks of thEm respective owners,
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