In 1998, Missouri began to implement a new assessment system, known as the Missouri Assessment Program (MAP), that is designed to measure progress on the state standards. The program consists of assessments in mathematics, communications arts, and science; social studies, health and physical education, and fine arts are expected to be added in the coming years. The state board of education has designated five levels of performance on the assessment—“advanced,” “proficient,” “nearing proficient,” “progressing,” and “step 1” (lowest).

To meet the criterion for adequate yearly progress under Title I, schools must reduce the number of low-performing students. Specifically, schools must achieve one of the following:

• At least a 5 percent increase in the composite percentage of students in the upper three performance levels and at least a 5 percent decrease in the percentage of students in the bottom performance level;
• A 20 percent decrease in the percent of students in the bottom performance level, in schools in which at least 40 percent of a class group is represented in the bottom level;
• The percentage of students in the bottom performance level is 5 percent or less.