This article provides an overview of how NWEA and DreamBox Math Assignments work together, how to create an assignment aligned with NWEA scores, and frequently asked questions (FAQs) about NWEA assignments.
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Need to select NWEA as an assessment framework in Assignments? Click here to open instructions. Looking for instructions to create an assignment for a group? Click here to open directions. |
NWEA Assignment Basics
What are NWEA Assignments?
Teachers can create Math assignments using NWEA Map Growth™ data to automatically deliver differentiated lessons to selected students or groups based on each student's current understanding of the topic.
How do NWEA-based Assignments work?
After a teacher creates an assignment using the NWEA Score, DreamBox Math presents lessons aligned with the RIT score range, taking into account the content in which a student has already shown proficiency. DreamBox Math will deliver a differentiated assignment to each student for up to ten weeks based on their understanding so each student will have a unique and personalized learning experience.
| If NWEA is not enabled in Assignments, it can be added to Assignments from the teacher Settings tab. Click here to open instructions on how to add the NWEA assessment framework to Assignments. (After enabling the NWEA assessment option, student data will need to be selected for each student to create an assignment.) |
Opening a New Assignment
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Administrators: If you would like to create an assignment for a teacher, you need to select the teacher's class Assignment History report on the Reports page or open the teacher's Home page first. Click here to open instructions on how to view a teacher's Home page. |
To open the Classroom Assignments page and start creating a new assignment for a class or group:
- Select Home in the top navigation pane.
- In the View menu, choose one of the following:
- Select Default to create an assignment for a class and then select the classroom.
- Select Groups to create an assignment for a custom group and then select the group.
- Leave the Student menu set to All Students.
- Click Add Assignment.
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Select MAP Test, Domain, & RIT Scores
| All assignments aligned to NWEA RIT scores will be 10-week long-term assignments. |
When the Classroom Assignment page opens:
- Click the Assign by NWEA tab. The correct grade band in the MAP Growth Test column should be pre-selected but can be adjusted if needed.
- For each student who should receive the assignment, verify the correct MAP Growth Test was selected, and then select the Test Window, Domain and RIT Score Range.
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| If you do not see a tab next to Assign by Topic or Standard, you need to cancel the assignment and select the assessment framework in your dashboard Settings. Click here to open step-by-step directions. |
- Follow this process for each student who will receive the assignment.
Review and Create the Assignment
- When you are finished, review the assignment parameters for each selected student. If they are correct, click Add Assignment in the bottom-left corner of the page.
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How Do Students Find Assigned Lessons?
| Q: How will students identify their assigned lessons after they sign in? |
A: In each learning environment, assigned lessons are highlighted by a calendar icon. The type of calendar indicates how much time students have to complete the assignment.
| Short-Term Assignment | Long-Term Assignment |
K-2nd Grade Learning Environment
In the K-2nd grade learning environment, assigned lessons show a short or long-term assignment icon. Students will see the assignment icons in all Adventure Park themes.
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| Students playing in the grades K-2 learning environment will need to select a theme and story before they can see the blue calendar icon. |
3rd-5th Grade Learning Environment
In the 3rd-5th grade learning environment, assigned lessons show a short or long-term assignment icon.
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| Students playing in the grades 3-5 learning environment may need to complete an existing lesson before the new lesson appears on their My Lessons Page. |
6-8th Grade Learning Environment
In the 6th-8th grade learning environment, assigned lessons appear above the DreamBox Math recommended lessons.
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When students have one week or less to complete an assignment, the label on the assigned lesson updates.
- Due Date: When an assignment is due within one week, the "Assigned" label will be replaced with a label showing the exact due date (e.g. Due Wednesday).
- Time Remaining: When an assignment is due in less than 24 hours, the label will display the remaining time in hours (e.g. Due in 7 hours).
- Due Now: When an assignment is due in less than 1 hour, the label will update to read Due Now.
| Students playing in the grades 6-8 learning environment may need to complete an existing lesson before the new lesson appears on their My Lessons Page. |
| Q: Why can't my students see the assignment I created? |
A: Ask your students to try one of the following based on their student learning environment:
- Students playing in the K-2nd grade learning environment may need to pick up a backpack for the assigned lesson to appear.
- Students playing in the 3rd-5th grade or 6th-8th grade environments may need to complete an existing lesson before the new lesson appears on their My Lessons Page.
FAQs: NWEA and DreamBox Math Assignments
| Q: What RIT Score Range does DreamBox recommend selecting for an assignment? |
A: Since students learn and grow over time, it is best practice to create an assignment that uses NWEA MAP Growth assessment results as soon as possible after receiving the students’ scores. Based on the most recent NWEA MAP Growth assessment data, DreamBox recommends creating an assignment within the RIT Score Range of the students’ current score in a domain, as this is a measure of what the student is ready to learn. For example, if a student’s latest score was 282 within the Number and Operations domain, an educator should assign the RIT score range of 281-290.
| Q: Will a teacher be able to see if a student is achieving success in the domain that supports the RIT score range when using the Assignments feature? |
A: Yes, in the Long-Term Assignments reporting, educators are easily able to see if their students are showing proficiency for lessons that are aligned within that domain for the assignment. Teachers will be able to view student activity and progress within the assigned domain and RIT range in the Assignments tab, including the ability to play the lessons their students are working on.
| Q: Can districts or schools automatically import students’ NWEA MAP Growth scores into DreamBox Math? |
A: No, it is not possible to import MAP Growth scores into DreamBox Math at this time.
| Q: Does this new capability affect DreamBox Math’s coherent learning pathways? |
A: DreamBox Math maintains our coherent, rigorous learning pathways through the alignment of the RIT range scores so that students still receive content that they are ready to learn while adhering to the proven sequence of the DreamBox curriculum.
| Q: Are you planning to partner with other summative assessment or testing companies? |
A: As always, we will consider your input and customer feedback regarding adding alignments to additional interim assessments. As that feedback is received, we will evaluate and prioritize adding additional print programs against other priorities.
| Q: After creating the assignment, my students received lessons that appeared to be below the level I thought they were. Is this normal? |
A: DreamBox Math will initially present lessons that align to the lower RIT Scores within the assigned ranges as defined by NWEA unless the student has already demonstrated proficiency within DreamBox Math. If your student(s) are finding the content easy, they will move through the foundational knowledge within the learning pathway that leads to the RIT range outcomes lessons quickly as the program will adapt them forward and present them with more challenging material. When creating an assignment, it may be helpful to let your students know that they may see some review lessons before receiving more challenging content and encourage them to complete them to the best of their ability.
| Q: After I've created an NWEA assignment, can I go back and edit it? |
A: No, not at this time. However, you can 'cancel' the assignment created for single or multiple students at any time and make a new one that better fits your criteria. Student progress made through the assignment will not be lost if the assignment is canceled, but the student will no longer see the assigned lessons on their Lesson Chooser.
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