The MAP Test: What does it mean for my child?

We use the Map score to predict performance on the California Star Test and to monitor learning and instruction throughout the school year. We adjust instructional strategies and curriculum to meet the specific needs of our students. The MAP Assessment also gives parents and students an indication of progress that can be compared to the California Standards Achievement Tests.

MAP scores are also used to place students in apppropriate math classes at the middle school and high school levels. If you do not agree with your child's math placement at South Valley, please call or e-mail our counselor. If you do not agree with your child's placement for the coming year at Gilroy High, please call their counseling department. They will assist you with the proper placement for your student in ninth grade math.

How do we help our student to continue growing in math achievement?

Students must gain about 8 MAP points in one year to stay at their current level of performance. That is our minimum goal for every South Valley student. While we continue to improve instruction and curriculum, you can make sure your student practices math skills that have been taught. Homework is a critical piece of cementing math learning. Until a student can perform a skill independently, she/he hasn't learned the skill. Homework meets that need.

Seeing the role of math in our everyday world also encourages a student to apply what he has learned. Applying concepts we have learned to everyday situations and talking about math leads to deeper understanding of mathematical ideas. As a result, students come to value math as a useful tool and value learning math.

Math games are also great for attaining fluency with math concepts. Often math games are presented in class. Ask your student if he knows any math games and play the games with him. Talk about rate, speed, and distance or calculate gas mileage when you are in the car. Make predictions and then check for accuracy after an event is complete. Identify pattterns or classify objects. For example, if you are on a trip, you could try to determine what percent of the cars on the road are green. The possibilities are unlimited and at your fingertips!