Arlington ISD presents beginning‑of‑year screening results; MAP renorming affects percentile interpretation
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Summary
District staff reported beginning‑of‑year literacy and math screener results and explained that the 2025 MAP renorming shifts percentile interpretation (a 240 RIT now corresponds to a higher percentile than in 2020); staff outlined interventions and next steps to address identified deficits.
District assessment leaders presented results from the district's beginning‑of‑year screeners (Circle, MClass, and NWEA MAP) and highlighted how the 2025 MAP renorming changes how RIT scores translate to percentiles.
Presenters explained that MAP was renormed using recent cohorts to reflect post‑2020 performance; as a result, identical RIT scores now correspond to higher percentile ranks than they did in 2020. "If you walk in with a 240 RIT score now, it looks like you're sitting in the 66th percentile," a presenter said, adding that the underlying skill represented by the RIT is unchanged but the reference group shifted.
District results for the 2025–26 cohort included a pre‑K composite mastery rate of 44% and mathematics 85%; kindergarten MClass reading started at 55% and math at 74%; first‑grade reading started at 53% with a goal of 69. For third grade, MAP math beginning points were reported at 38% for the current cohort, which presenters said will require campus‑level analysis to identify specific instructional gaps. Presenters described district responses: targeted prescriptive lessons, progress monitoring, coaching through instructional facilitators, behavioral supports, extended learning and a contract with Bailey Education Group for targeted teacher coaching.
Trustees asked for clarification on cohort comparisons and root causes of third‑grade math declines; presenters said differences are cohort specific and will be addressed through school‑level interventions and professional learning.
Next steps: District will continue progress monitoring, deploy targeted interventions, and adjust goals to the new MAP norms for subsequent reporting.
