Knowledge Base

ADAM is a highly diagnostic assessment that will provide extremely granular data on students and classes.  So the first factor to consider is whether schools and/or teachers are looking for the maximum level of diagnostic data.  If so, they should use ADAM for all K-7 students.  And even for grade 8+ students who need foundational math strengthening. ADAM can take up to two hours at grade levels 6 and 7, and a small percentage of students may need more time. 

One easy next step is to look at the detailed reports generated by all our mathematics assessments.  Each report can be rolled up at the class level, which can provide extremely helpful data for teachers.  If the level of detailed data yielded by one or the other assessment seems clearly appropriate for your class, then your decision has been made.

If you plan to use the data not for classroom instruction but for course selection, see the "RtI Screener" row in the table below. If you are still not sure, read on...

RtI Screener:

Take ADAM* for grades K to 5 and DOMA Pre-Algebra for grades 6+
* Optionally, select to administer only the NUM strand in ADAM

Grade K to 5:

Always take ADAM

Grades 6 to 7, at-risk or SPED students:

Students who are clearly at a 5th-grade or lower level of mathematics should take ADAM. DOMA Pre-Algebra does not cover enough basic math to provide detailed data. Total test time at the 5th grade level will be a little above one hour. Plan on two lab sessions of one hour each to cover almost all students in this category. Adjust the queue for these students to a lower grade if you know with certainty that they are not at grade level. We do not recommend setting the queue level to more than two grades below the student's actual grade level.

Grades 6 to 7, on-grade students:

ADAM K-7 will take the longest for these students. It can take up to two hours, possibly more for a small portion of students. Choose ADAM for these students if you:

• Prefer the detailed ADAM K-7 data.
• Are using the LGL Math Edge supplemental instruction.

Use DOMA Pre-Algebra if:

• Your primary goal is to measure student growth over time, which a single score can do.

• You need a screening tool for RtI placement of 6th or 7th graders and don't require more detailed data than is provided by DOMA PreAlgebra.
   
• You need a quick assessment to evaluate many students.  And for those few who perform very low in DOMA Pre-Algebra you are willing to do a second assessment with ADAM.

• Your students will be going into a Pre-Algebra Edge course in which lower-level mathematics will not be reviewed.

Grades 8+ students:

Generally, you'll use DOMA Pre-Algebra. But if the students have IEPs or if this is an intervention class where your students are at the 5th or 6th grade or a lower instructional level, consider using ADAM.

Helpful video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=210&v=LVEeq5GEe9M&feature=emb_logo