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Math Placement Procedures

Rockwood is implementing a new mathematics placement procedure in elementary and middle schools order to encourage and support each student to develop academically. This new procedure will help educators determine the mathematics placement most appropriate for students and their learning for the 2012-2013 school year.

Why did the district move forward with new placement procedures?
In 2010, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education adopted common core state standards for mathematics. Rockwood has incorporated these standards into our mathematics curriculum to ensure students are prepared for these grade/course-level expectations. These new standards were approved by the Board of Education in spring 2011.

How will teachers determine placement for my child?
Teachers will use multiple types of information to ensure students receive challenging instruction in mathematics: student performance in the classroom, a teacher recommendation, as well as parent request. For middle school, an end-of-course exam will determine a student's level of understanding in advanced math concepts and application. For elementary school, a preview test will determine this level of understanding.

When will I be informed of my child's mathematics placement for the 2012-2013 school year?
Parents of K-5 students will be notified by letter by April 20.

Parents of 6th-grade students will be notified of placement or further testing by May 4.
It is important to remember this new procedure will determine mathematics placement in lieu of the challenge matrix used for other curriculum subjects at Rockwood middle schools. Qualification for challenge placement in other subject areas: Language Arts, Social Studies and Science will still be determined by the challenge matrix.

What can I do if I want my child's mathematics placement reconsidered?
Parents can complete a parent request form. Please submit only one parent appeal per child for consideration. For K-5 students, return this form to your child's math teacher by April 27. For 6th-grade students, return this form to your child's math teacher by May 11.

Learn more about the Curriculum Advisory Council - a committee of Rockwood staff members and parents who review curriculum documents and make recommendations to the Board of Education.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When will the math placement tests be given? View Answer

Answer:

The testing window for K-5 students will be March 12 – April 6.

The testing window for 6^th_grade students will be April 16 – 27.

Q: How will I know if my child qualifies for the placement test? View Answer

Answer:

A letter will be sent to parents of K-5 students who qualify for testing identifying the date of the test before March 9.

All 6^{th -}grade Pre-Algebra students will take the Pre-Algebra EOC test.

Teachers of 6^th-grade Math students will contact parents of students that they recommend for possible acceleration.

Q: What if my child does not qualify for placement testing? View Answer

Answer:

If you feel your child should be accelerated, you can fill out a parent request form located on the Math Curriculum web page.

For K-5th-grade students please return this form to your child’s teacher by March 9.

For 6^th -grade students please return this form to your child's math teacher by April 13.

Q: Can my child be retested? View Answer

Answer:

No, all students will have one opportunity to take this test.

Q: Will every elementary student take the preview test to determine math placement for grades K-4? View Answer

Answer:

The preview test will be given to students as part of Rockwood’s acceleration policy. Students will take the preview test if they 1) earned a math grade of an A (grades 3-5) or 4 (grades k-2); 2) have a Stanford or MAP Terra Nova score of 90 percent or above; 3) teacher recommendation or 4) parent request.

The preview test will help educators determine if classroom differentiation or subject acceleration meet the needs of the student. View the math placement procedure flow chart for students in grades K-4.

Q: What about 5th-grade students entering middle school? Will all 5th-grade students take a preview test to determine math placement for middle school? View Answer

Answer:

Fifth-grade students will take the preview test if they 1) earned a math grade of A; 2) have a Stanford or Map Terra Nova score of 90 percent or above; 3) teacher recommendation or 4) parent request.

For 2012-2013 school year, 6^th-grade students have three math placement options: Foundations of Algebra, Pre-Algebra and 6^th-Grade Math.

The preview test will help educators determine math placement in order to meet the needs of students. View the math placement procedure flow chart for 5th-grade students.

Q: What about my 6th-grade student in Pre-Algebra? Will he/she take an end-of-course exam to determine placement for next year? View Answer

Answer:

Yes. All students in Pre-Algebra will take an end-of-course assessment. Options for this grade level include Foundations of Algebra, Algebra 1 or Pre-Algebra. View the math placement procedures flow chart for 6th-grade students.

Q: How will math acceleration affect my child’s grade point average (GPA)? View Answer

Answer:

Students who take a weighted grade course in middle school will receive a high school math credit for the course; however, the grade they earn is not included into their high school GPA because the course was taken in middle school.

Q: What advanced courses are available in high school if my child qualifies for math acceleration? View Answer

Answer:

Rockwood math curriculum has a variety of advanced courses at the high school level to help students develop their understanding and application of mathematics.

It is important to note that students who progress through the curriculum at an early age may need to consider dual enrollment with a local college for more advanced math courses after AP Calculus. This dual enrollment option requires families to pay for three hours of college credit.

For example, after AP Calculus, if students have already taken AP Physics and AP Statistics, they may choose to enroll in Calculus 2 and/or Calculus 3 at Wildwood Community College.

Rockwood encourages parents and students discuss the four-year, high school academic plan with their guidance counselor to understand the options for advancement in mathematics courses.

Q: Is there a process for parents to appeal the final results of the mathematics placement procedure? View Answer

Answer:

Yes. Parents may use the parent request form to appeal the mathematics placement for the 2012-2012 school year.

Please note that parents may submit this parent request form once during the mathematics placement procedure process. Parents may decide to submit the request form:

· Either 1) at the beginning of the process if they believe their child requires acceleration in mathematics. The form must be submitted to the K-5^th-grade teacher by March 9. For 6^th-grade students, please return this form to the math teacher by April 13.

· Or 2) after the mathematics placement has been determined for the next school year. For K-5^th-grade students, submit the parent request form to the math teacher by April 27. For 6th-grade students, please return this form to the math teacher by May 11.

Q: What is Rockwood’s acceleration policy? View Answer

Answer:

The Rockwood School District adheres to a Board of Education Policy 2535 that recognizes and supports acceleration as a key intervention for providing challenging educational opportunities for advanced learners.

Please review the following steps that are recommended when parents believe that more accelerated offerings should be provided for their child.

Q: Who can I contact if I have additional questions about the math placement procedures? View Answer

Answer:

Communication should begin at your child’s school. Please contact your child’s math teacher or school counselor.

Contact Information

Elementary
Math Content Facilitator
Stephanie Nauman
636.733.2154
naumanstephanie@
rockwood.k12.mo.us

Secondary
Math Content Facilitator
Lisa Lingle
636.733.2155
linglelisa@rockwood.k12.mo.us