Palo Alto Unified School District

6th Grade Math Placement Information

 

As students leave the 6th grade program, we begin to group students according to their interest, preparation and ability in mathematics.  In PAUSD, we call this grouping ÒlaningÓ instead of ÒtrackingÓ for metaphorical reasons.  In Òlaning,Ó as in lanes on a highway, students can change their level of grouping.  In Òtracking,Ó as in railroad tracks, students cannot change tracks.

 

There are two different math courses offered in 7th grade, PreAlgebra and PreAlgebra Advanced (PreAlgebraA).  The major differences in the courses are pace and level of content.  The PreAlgebraA course is much faster paced than the PreAlgebra course.  In the PreAlgebra course students may get 2 or more days to learn a concept.  In the PreAlgebraA course, students are expected to master the material in a single day, and the next day the class is on to new material. Because of the difference in pacing, the PreAlgebraA course covers the PreAlgebra material in about two-thirds to three-quarters of the year and then moves on to cover some Algebraic material.  The PreAlgebraA course also contains more difficult problems, has a higher level of expectation (students must maintain at least a B- to stay in the course), and requires the students to do more work than the PreAlgebra course.

 

Placing your student in the appropriate course for 7th grade is a collaborative effort between teachers, parents, and the students themselves.  Using the following rubric, students earn a certain amount of points in different categories.  The overall score then gives us important information that helps us place students in a math class where they can be challenged, succeed, and grow in their mathematical confidence so that they can be successful each year of their math education in the coming years. 

 

Math Placement Rubric

Total Possible Points

9

 

Criteria

Points Earned

Classroom Unit Tests Average

  • 95-100%
  • 90-94%
  • below 90%

 

2

1

0

Homework Average

  • 90% or better
  • below 90%

 

1

0

Application Problems

  • average 90% or better
  • average below 90%

 

1

0

Completes Math Extensions

(optional challenge problems)

1

Analytical Reasoning Test* - math reasoning and application

  • 23-25 Points
  • 20-22 Points
  • below 20 points

 

2

1

0

Procedures Test* - whole numbers, decimals, fractions & percent

  • 37-40 Points
  • 34-36 Points
  • below 34

 

2

1

0

* these tests are given in May, after the STAR tests

 

The possible point total is 9.  If a student ranks 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 points, s/he is automatically placed in PreAlgebra Advanced (PreAlgebraA).  If a student ranks 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 points, s/he is automatically placed in PreAlgebra. A student with a score of 4, however, can take more time and thought for placement. 

 

As weÕve studied the students who have been placed in the different courses with the following scores, weÕve found that a student withÉ

 

A score of 6,7,8, or 9*É

This student enjoys the PreAlgebra A class.  She/He finds the material to be challenging and the pace of the course to be appropriate for her/his ability.  

 

A score of 5É

This student often finds the pace of the PreAlgebra A course to be slightly faster than what she/he are used to, but are able to keep up with extra effort.  We have found that this student normally gets a B+/B/B-  in the PreAlgebraA course (which is normally not the A grade the student wants).  When this student is in the PreAlgebra course, however, they find themselves bored most of the time and complain that the material is not challenging enough for them.

 

A score of 4É

This student is sometimes placed in the PreAlgebra A class by parents who have signed the Seventh Grade Math Waiver Form.  The student normally struggles in PreAlgebra A.  Even if the student wants this placement, to be successful (a B or better), this student often needs more time to do the homework, more teacher support (Homework Habitat, or TEAM time with the teacher), and some tutoring. Generally, this student earns a B- or C in PreAlgebra A.

 

Often times, this student is at the top of PreAlgebra class.  This student tends to do well in this course and is a leader, both in the understanding of the curriculum and in demonstrating successful study skills.  Occasionally this student says that s/he is bored by certain topics during the course of study.  Generally, this student earns and A+, A, or A- in PreAlgebra.

 

A score of 3,2,1, or 0É

This student finds the level of the PreAlgebra course challenging and the pace of the course to be appropriate for her/his ability.

 

With this information, and collaboration between the teacher, parent, and student , we hope to successfully place each individual into the appropriate level math class so the student can be challenged, succeed, and grow in their mathematical confidence.

 

 

 

* Each year we have a few students who are extremely advanced in their mathematical ability.  For these few students there is a possibility of skipping the PreAlgebraA course and taking Algebra 1 as a 7th grader.  In order for a student to skip PreAlgebraA and take Algebra 1 as a 7th grader, they must first score a 9 on the placement rubric.  Second, they must take the PreAlgebraA final at the end of 6th grade and show mastery of the PreAlgebraA topics.  If a student is able to do both of those things they will be allowed to take Algebra 1 as a 7th grader.  Skipping 7th grade math has both positive and negative impacts on a student in future years.  Because of that, if a student is interested in skipping 7th grade math, they need to talk to Ryan Peterson, the JLS Mathematics Instructional Supervisor by February 15th, 2008

 

 

Bridging between Lanes

 

As students grow and change, they may wish to bridge from one lane of math to another.  When moving from the regular program to the advanced program in the middle school (or the A-lane program to the honors program in the high school) some summer work must be done in order to provide students with the appropriate curricular preparation for the more advanced work.  Moving among the regular and A-lane high school courses requires no summer work.

 

To Bridge from 7th grade PreAlgebra to 8th grade Algebra 1

 

Interested students must

¥  Earn solid AÕs in both semesters in PreAlgebra (95% or better).

¥  Take advantage of extension opportunities offered in class.  (They should be successful with the majority of these extensions.)

¥  Demonstrate ease with computation.

¥  Take and score a minimum of 40/50 on the Algebra Readiness Test.

¥  Take the summer Bridge program, known as Bridge to Algebra 1 and earn a B or better.  (This summer program runs 4 weeks and completes the PreAlgebra A units needed as a pre-requisite for the Algebra 1 course.