RCS Elementary Students Outpace New National MAP Growth Norms

Over the past five years, national MAP Growth scores have revealed a concerning trend: many students across the country lost academic ground during the pandemic, particularly in reading and math.

The newly released 2025 MAP Growth norms reflect these shifts. Compared with data from five years ago, today’s “typical” scores for many grade levels are lower than they were even in 2022. The national average has moved not because students are less capable, but because the pandemic created lasting gaps in learning.

While national averages have dipped, RCS’s MAP Growth results tell a very different—and encouraging—story. Since 2021, our students’ scores have steadily increased across grade levels, showing consistent year-over-year improvement. Even as national norms trend downward, RCS students continue to demonstrate strong growth, academic resilience, and positive momentum.

This upward trajectory underscores the effectiveness of our instructional approach, the dedication of our teachers, and the vital partnership we share with families in supporting student learning.