DLM Data and Results
About the Data
The Dynamic Learning Maps assessment is administered statewide in the spring, in English language arts (ELA) and mathematics. Some students also take science and social studies depending on their grade. The DLM assessment is intended for students with the most significant cognitive disabilities in grades 3-11 and is designed to compare a student’s strengths and needs to clearly defined standards, skill levels, or areas of knowledge. This is an online assessment delivered via the computer; however, some students may need their teacher to present the items to them. The teacher will then enter the student’s response into the online platform. The DLM assessment is aligned with the Wisconsin Essential Elements and measures how students perform in relation to those standards.
Three Reports are provided to districts:
DPI has developed an Individual Student Report that summarizes student performance in each content area for their grade. This report is designed to help students, parents, and educators identify specific areas of strength and need relative to the grade-level Essential Elements.
The Performance Profile summarizes how your student performed on the content areas of ELA, mathematics and for some students, science. DLM performance levels are presented as: Emerging, Approaching Target, At Target, and Advanced. The Performance Profile also includes statements of skills that are typical of students performing in the identified performance level.
DLM Reporting Resources
Establishing Performance Levels on Statewide Assessments
Standard Setting Process for Statewide Assessments
DLM Performance Levels and Cut Scores
The DLM assessment is a summative assessment which provides information about what students know and can do in relation to the Wisconsin Essential Elements. Students receive a score based on their performance in each content area. Each score will fall in one of four levels:
- Emerging - The student demonstrates emerging understanding of and ability to apply content knowledge and skills represented by the Essential Elements.
- Approaching the Target - The student’s understanding of and ability to apply targeted content knowledge and skills represented by the Essential Elements is approaching the target.
- At Target - The student’s understanding of and ability to apply content knowledge and skills represented by the Essential Elements is at target.
- Advanced: - The student demonstrates advanced understanding of and ability to apply targeted content knowledge and skills represented by the Essential Elements.
The tables below provide performance categories and cut score ranges for each performance level for each content area. These cut scores were formally approved by the State Superintendent.
English Language Arts
| Performance Level | Grade 3 | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 6 | Grade 7 | Grade 8 | Grade 9 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approaching | 22 | 23 | 21 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 15 |
| Target | 31 | 37 | 33 | 33 | 37 | 35 | 39 | 38 | 39 |
| Advanced | 44 | 49 | 45 | 45 | 53 | 54 | 55 | 59 | 58 |
| Total | 50 | 55 | 50 | 55 | 65 | 65 | 70 | 70 | 70 |
Mathematics
| Performance Level | Grade 3 | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 6 | Grade 7 | Grade 8 | Grade 9 | Grade 10 | Grade 11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approaching | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 6 |
| Target | 15 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 23 | 20 | 19 | 14 |
| Advanced | 27 | 30 | 25 | 24 | 26 | 30 | 27 | 32 | 25 |
| Total | 40 | 40 | 40 | 35 | 35 | 40 | 35 | 40 | 30 |
Science
| Performance Level | Grade 3* | Grade 4 | Grade 5 | Grade 6 | Grade 7 * | Grade 8 | High School |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Approaching | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 8 |
| Target | 15 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 16 | 16 | 16 |
| Advanced | 21 | 21 | 25 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 23 |
| Total | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 | 27 |
*Cut points not established during standard setting; evaluated using standards set at the next grade level up within the grade span. Wisconsin tests in grade 4 and 8-11.