Algebra 1 Parent Information: Placement 2020-21 Guidelines and Criteria

Rowland Unified School District

Algebra Placement 2020 - 2021

Guidelines and Criteria

 

May 20, 2020

 

Re:  Potential 5th/6th/7th Grade Algebra 1 Students

 

Dear Parent or Guardian:

As a result of our student dismissal from Covid-19, Rowland Unified will temporarily adjust the process and criteria for students to be placed in an Algebra 1 course for the 2020-2021 academic school year.  This is a high school level course and the criterion for consideration to be in this program is very stringent and the interest is very high.  It is the intent of the Rowland Unified School District to offer students an opportunity to participate in an accelerated math program all the way through high school. Students that have demonstrated a solid understanding of basic foundational skills will be evaluated and considered to participate in RUSD’s accelerated math program.  The following criteria will be applied:

For current 6th and 7th grade students:

Students will be evaluated on two key factors: 1) Current grades and 2) SBAC test results from the previous two years.  This criteria will be in place throughout our district and students must meet both components of this criteria in order to be placed in an Algebra 1 course.

  • 6th grade - Trimester 1 and 2: a minimum grade of a B- in mathematics
  • 7th grade - Academic grades at Semester 1: a minimum grade of B- in mathematics

AND

Two years of SBAC achievement at the Standard Exceeded level.  If you would like further SBAC information, please visit the following link: https://caaspp.cde.ca.gov/sb2018/ScaleScoreRanges

For current 5th grade students:

Students will be evaluated based on the Mathematics Diagnostic Testing Project (MDTP) Assessment System.  The diagnostic assessment provides a reliable indication of the extent to which a student’s current mathematics proficiency matches necessary skills and knowledge for the high school course.  Please note that due to test security, test availability, and the remote setting, the placement test will be administered in the fall, at the beginning of the 2020-2021 school year.  Students meeting the criteria will be placed soon after for enrollment in the same term (fall 2020).

  • MDTP high school readiness test: Students must score 70% and above on this assessment to be placed in Algebra 1 

Parents of students that have met this criteria will be receiving a parent permission letter.  This letter will need to be signed and returned to the school in order for the student to participate in the Algebra 1 course.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at my email below.

Sincerely,

Gus Lopez

Secondary Math Program Specialist

Rowland Unified

[email protected]