By: Principal Yeager
As a former Principal and Director of Schools for Millcreek Schools in Mississippi, I had the responsibility of navigating multiple assessment models—including the MAAP-A, Woodcock-Johnson, and Brigance assessments. This experience provided firsthand insight into how alternate assessments shape instructional strategies and influence school accountability.
Mississippi’s statewide accountability system assigns school and district performance ratings based on a range of indicators. For educators, principals, and assessment coordinators, understanding how the Mississippi Academic Assessment Program-Alternate (MAAP-A) fits into this picture is essential.
What is MAAP-A?
MAAP-A is the alternate academic assessment designed for Mississippi students with the most significant cognitive disabilities. It is aligned to grade-level academic standards and measures student achievement in:
- English Language Arts (ELA)
- Mathematics
- Science
How Does MAAP-A Affect Accountability Ratings?
Under Mississippi’s accountability system, both school and district ratings are based on:
- Proficiency
- Growth
- Graduation Rate
- College- and Career-Readiness
- Participation
MAAP-A data is used to calculate both proficiency and growth, meaning it can positively or negatively affect a school’s classification—from A to F—based on how students perform.
Key considerations:
Inclusion of All Students: MAAP-A scores are part of the same accountability pool as general assessments.
Weighting and Scaling: These scores are scaled to reflect performance levels equivalent in rigor to general education assessments.
TSI/CSI Identification: Persistent underperformance in MAAP-A subgroups may result in designations like Targeted Support and Improvement (TSI) or Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI).
Implications for School Leaders
- Strong MAAP-A results can improve overall accountability ratings.
- Poor or stagnant scores can trigger additional monitoring or corrective planning.
- Instructional alignment with tested standards is vital for student success and compliance.
What Should You Be Doing?
- Disaggregate MAAP-A Data in school performance reviews.
- Include Alternate Assessment Planning in your SIP (School Improvement Plan).
- Provide PD on alternate standards and instructional alignment.
- Support SPED Staff with resources and assessment coaching.
Understanding how MAAP-A impacts your school’s performance rating is no longer optional—it’s essential. Use this knowledge to drive decision-making, support your teams, and ensure every student’s success is reflected in your accountability outcomes.
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