

A comparison of item parameter estimates in Pychometrik and the existing item calibration tool
This study evaluates the performance of Pychometrik, a new item calibration tool, against the existing tool for MAP Growth.
By: Wei He, Patrick Meyer, Russ Grandgeorge, Emily Bo
Topics: Item response theory


A semi-supervised learning-based diagnostic classification method using artificial neural networks
This research study is the first time of applying the thinking of semi-supervised learning into CDM. Also, we used the validating test to choose the appropriate parameters for the ANNs instead of using typical statistical criteria, such as AIC, BIC.
By: Kang Xue, Laine Bradshaw
Topics: Measurement & scaling


The report documents the process NWEA followed to determine and validate the cut scores for fall, winter, and spring that can be used to identify students in Grades K–8 who have severe learning difficulties and need intensive intervention in reading and mathematics.
By: Wei He, Patrick Meyer
Products: MAP Growth
Topics: Guidance


Arguing about the effectiveness of assessments for the classroom
Approaches to test score use and test purpose lack the well-developed methodological guidelines and established sources of evidence available for intended score interpretation. We argue in this paper that this lack fails to reflect the ultimate purpose of a test score—to help solve an important problem faced by intended test users.
By: Garron Gianopulos


A multi-rater latent growth curve model
To avoid the subjectivity of having a single person evaluate a construct of interest (e.g., a student’s self-efficacy in school), multiple raters are often used. This study provides a model for estimating growth in the presence of multiple raters.
By: James Soland, Megan Kuhfeld
Topics: Measurement & scaling, Growth modeling, Social-emotional learning


This study uses reading test scores from over 728,923 3rd–8th-grade students in 2,056 schools across the US to compare threshold-setting methods to detect noneffortful item responses. and so helps provide guidance on the tradeoffs involved in using a given method to identify noneffortful responses.
By: James Soland, Megan Kuhfeld, Joseph Rios
Topics: School & test engagement


Measuring middle school achievement trajectories for college readiness
This study identifies students’ academic trajectories in the middle grades relative to a set of college readiness benchmarks. We apply math and reading college readiness benchmarks to rich longitudinal data for more than 360,000 students across the nation. Student-level and school-level demographic characteristics significantly predict academic trajectories.
By: Angela Johnson, Megan Kuhfeld, Greg King
Topics: Equity, College & career readiness, Middle school