Garden City Public Schools

The Northwest Evaluation Association (NWEA) is an educational services organization based in Portland, Oregon. The company developed research based computerized adaptive assessments for students. The assessments are growth based informative instructional tools for teachers and students alike. NWEA results provide the teachers and students with immediate results that can be utilized in the classroom to target student learning and focus on student needs.

In July 2025, NWEA updated the norms used to determine percentiles on the NWEA Map Growth assessments. RIT scores have not changed, but you may see a change in historical percentiles if you compare the most recent score report with historical score reports posted to the portal. Please know that we have incorporated these adjustments into our practices so as to continue to provide students with individualized and personalized instruction based upon the information that the NWEA provides us.

In Garden City, we use the MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) Growth tests in grades 1 through 8. The MAP tests are computerized, adaptive tests offered in Reading, Language and Math. 

• If your child answers a question correctly, the test follows up with a more challenging question.
• If your child answers incorrectly, the test follows up with an easier question.

Adaptive tests make it possible for teachers to pinpoint what each child needs in order to learn best. 

They are given at multiple points throughout the school year to provide teachers with a measure of student growth in achievement, and allow for more focused teaching and learning.

In July 2025, NWEA updated the norms used to determine percentiles on the NWEA Map Growth assessments. RIT scores have not changed, but you may see a change in historical percentiles if you compare the most recent score report with historical score reports posted to the portal. Please know that we have incorporated these adjustments into our practices so as to continue to provide students with individualized and personalized instruction based upon the information that the NWEA provides us.