JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Results of the 2020-2021 Missouri Assessment Program (MAP) were released Tuesday, and many indicators showed a decrease in performance during the pandemic in elementary and middle schools.
Officials warned administrators, educators and parents that pandemic-era results would be down, and needed context to be analyzed. They advised against using the data to make high-stakes decisions and thinking of these results in the same way as in the past.
MAP noted students with internet access had higher proficiency rates. Proficiency rates were also higher for students onsite and using a hybrid model than for distanced and virtual students.
MAP results showed a decline in proficiency rates. Elementary school results showed a greater decline than middle school grades. Algebra I showed the greatest decline among specific subjects. Math proficiency declined more than science and English language arts.
Learning environments like "onsite," "virtual," "distanced," and "hybrid," were noted relative to the results. Distanced meant "Students are offsite and may receive some instruction online." Hybrid meant "Students are onsite at least two days per week, with a fixed pattern OR receive instruction through a combination of other modes."
Educators now look to understand the effects of the pandemic and find solutions to the problems.
“Districts and charter schools across the state worked extremely hard to focus on the well-being and academic success of students during the extraordinary 2020-21 school year,” said Commissioner of Education Margie Vandeven in a news release. “Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, most aspects of last school year were not typical. I urge stakeholders to use these data to learn from this experience and inform how to deploy resources to best support students, educators, and schools.”