Accelerated & Honors Math Placement

Curriculum
Criteria for Placement into Grade 5 Accelerated Mathematics Classes

The criteria will apply to students entering fifth grade. To be considered for accelerated math students must successfully complete a minimum 95% of their current school year curriculum.

The criteria are designed to identify very high achieving and highly motivated mathematics students, in order to give them the opportunity to participate in accelerated mathematics classes beginning in the 5th grade. Students must meet the eligibility criteria each year, to remain in the accelerated mathematics classes.

See Math Schematic

The eligibility process involves a point system with students receiving points in the following three areas:

  • PSSA – Mathematics Scaled Scores (average of last two years)
  • Final Grade in Mathematics (average of all 3 trimesters) & Teacher Input
  • District Benchmark

Students who earn at least 11 points based on the criteria, will be notified in August of their opportunity to participate in accelerated mathematics classes.

PSSA-NCE Scores Average Math Grade combined with Teacher input District Benchmark
1351+ 5 points A+ or A with teacher recommendation 5 points 92% + 5 points
1301 -1350 4 points A or A- with teacher recommendation 4 points 90-92% 4 points
1251-1300 3 points A- or B+ with teacher recommendation 3 points 87-89% 3 points
1201-1151 2 points B+ or B with teacher recommendation 2 points 83-86% 2 points
1151-1100 1 point B 1 points 80-82% 1 point
Criteria for Placement into Grade 6 Accelerated Mathematics Classes

The criteria will apply to students entering fifth grade. To be considered for accelerated math students must successfully complete a minimum 95% of their current school year curriculum.

The criteria are designed to identify very high achieving and highly motivated mathematics students, in order to give them the opportunity to participate in accelerated mathematics classes beginning in the 5th grade. Students must meet the eligibility criteria each year, to remain in the accelerated mathematics classes.

See Math Schematic

The eligibility process involves a point system with students receiving points in the following three areas:

  • PSSA – Mathematics Scaled Scores (average of last two years)
  • Final Grade in Mathematics & Teacher Input
  • District Benchmark

Parents of students who earn at least 11 points based on the criteria, will be notified of their child’s opportunity to participate in accelerated mathematics classes.

PSSA-NCE Scores Average Math Grade combined with Teacher input District Benchmark
1301+ 5 points A+ or A with teacher recommendation 5 points 92% + 5 points
1300 -1251 4 points A or A- with teacher recommendation 4 points 90-92% 4 points
1250-1200 3 points A- or B+ with teacher recommendation 3 points 87-89% 3 points
1201-1151 2 points B+ or B with teacher recommendation 2 points 83-86% 2 points
1150-1100 1 point B 1 points 80-82% 1 point

Eligibility = 11 points

Criteria for Placement into Algebra I in Grade 7

The criteria and attached form will apply to students entering seventh grade. To be considered for accelerated math students must successfully complete a minimum 95% of their current school year curriculum.

The criteria are designed to identify very high achieving and highly motivated mathematics students, in order to give them the opportunity to participate in Algebra I in the 7th grade.

The eligibility process involves a point system with students receiving points in the following four areas:

  • PSSA – Mathematics Scaled Scores (average of last two years)
  • Final Grade in Mathematics & Teacher Input
  • Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test

Parents of students who earn at least 15 points based on the criteria, will be notified of their child’s opportunity to participate in accelerated mathematics classes. See Math Schematic

PSSA-NCE Scores Average Math Grade combined with Teacher input District Benchmark Iowa Algebra Aptitude
Test Score (max 60)
1301+ 5 points A+ or A with teacher recommendation 5 points 95% + 5 points

55-60

(92% min)

 5 point
1300 -1251 4 points A or A- with teacher recommendation 4 points 92-95% 4 points

51-54

(85%- 91%)

 4 point
1250-1201 3 points A- or B+ with teacher recommendation 3 points 90-92% 3 points

47-50

(78% – 84%)

 3 point
1200-1151 2 points B+ or B with teacher recommendation 2 points 87-90% 2 points

42-46

(70%-83%)

 2 point
1150-1101 1 point B 1 points 85-87% 1 point

39-41

(65%-69%)

 1 point

Eligibility = 15 points

Students successfully completing Algebra I in the seventh grade will take Honors Geometry in eighth grade.

Criteria for Placement into Algebra I in Grade 8

The following criteria will apply to students entering eighth grade. To be considered for Algebra 1 students must successfully complete a minimum 95% of their current school year curriculum.

The criteria are designed to identify high achieving and motivated mathematics students, in order to give them the opportunity to participate in Algebra I in the 8th grade.

The eligibility process involves a point system with students receiving points in the following four areas:

  • PSSA – NCE Scores
  • Final Grade in Mathematics & Teacher Input
  • District Benchmark
  • Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test

Parents of students, who earn at least 13 points based on the criteria, will be notified of their child’s opportunity to participate in Algebra I in grade 8. See Math Schematic

PSSA-NCE Scores Final Math Grade District Benchmark Iowa Algebra Aptitude
Test Score (max 60)
1151+ 5 points A or A- with teacher recommendation 5 points 85% + 5 points 52-60
(87% min)		 5 points
1150 -1101 4 points A- or B+ with teacher recommendation 4 points 84-80% 4 points 47-51
(78%-86%)		 4 points
1100-1051 3 points B+ or B with teacher recommendation 3 points 79-75% 3 points 43-46
(71%-77%)		 3 point
1050-1001 2 points B or B- with teacher recommendation 2 points 74-70% 2 points 38-42
(64%-70%)		 2 points
1000-950 1 point C+ 0 pts 69-65% 1 point 33-37
(55%-63%)		 1 point

Eligibility = 13 points