NWEA Assessment Tools Receive Provisional Approval in Texas
Texas Education Agency has granted provisional approval for NWEA’s MAP Growth and MAP Reading Fluency tools to be used within the state's upcoming assessment system.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has provisionally approved NWEA’s MAP Growth and MAP Reading Fluency assessments for use by school districts beginning in the 2027-28 school year. The decision aligns with new state mandates under House Bill 8 and House Bill 2, which aim to transition Texas toward a through-year assessment approach to better monitor student academic progress.
The new state system replaces the existing State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) program with a framework that allows districts to select approved alternative assessments for beginning- and middle-of-year testing. NWEA’s tools underwent a review process to ensure compliance with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) standards, as well as specific requirements for early literacy and dyslexia support.
NWEA General Manager Sabine Wallis stated that the approval allows for continued use of their assessment data to help educators identify learning needs. The provisional status will remain in effect for the 2027-28 and 2028-29 school years, provided the tools continue to meet ongoing TEA requirements.