Middle School Math Pathways

May 17, 2013

SJUSD Model

•  In middle school, we will be allowing for three pathways that will lead to the traditional progression of courses through high school.

•  Each pathway will be very different from what we currently offer.

•  We must be careful to ensure that there will not be any gaps in students learning, hence no skipping of content.

Common Core Math Standards

•  Change the content of courses and demand a progression to ensure coherence across all grade levels

•  Leave no allowance for students to skip a grade or standards

•  Require a balance of developing procedural skills and conceptual understanding

•  The goal is for students to be better prepared college and careers

Math Practices

3 Middle School Pathways

•  Pathway 1: Math 6, Math 7 and Math 8

•  We will be offering 2 Accelerated Pathways:

•  Pathway 2: Math 6, Accelerated Math 7 (Math 7 combined with Math 8) and Algebra 1

•  Pathway 3: Math 6/Accelerated Math 7Compressed Math 6/Math 7, compressed Grade 8/ Algebra 1, Geometry

Current Math Pathways

6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade

Common Core Math Pathways

6th Grade 7th Grade 8th Grade

Accelerated Pathway 2

•  Starts with Math 6

•  At the end of 6th grade: course placement into an accelerated course in 7th grade, Accelerated Math 7 (Math 7/Math8 compressed)

•  Demands a faster pace for instruction and learning

•  Intended placement in 8th grade : Algebra 1

Algebra 1

•  Algebra 1 is a very different course under the Common Core State Standards

•  Some of the current content is moved down to Math 8

•  Algebra 1 has absorbed some of Algebra 2 content and has a Statistics component that has been added.

•  Interpreting, conceptual understanding, and modeling are emphasized much more in the Common Core Algebra course

Accelerated Pathway 3

•  Starts with a compressed course in 6th grade: Math 6/Accelerated 7

•  At the end of 6th grade: placement into an accelerated course in 7th grade, Algebra 1 (some Math 8)

•  Demands a faster pace for instruction and learning beginning in 6th grade

•  Intended placement in 8th grade : Geometry

Determining Factors for Acceleration

•  Placement Test Results

•  California Standardized Test Results

•  Grades from Semesters 1 and 2

•  STAR test results