Christopher A. Lenius
Chaska High School Coordinator of Gifted Services 952‐556‐3751 [email protected] 545 Pioneer Trail Chaska, MN 55318 chs.district112.org Chanhassen High School 2200 Lyman Blvd Chanhassen, MN 55317 cns.district112.org
March 2016 Dear Future Chaska or Chanhassen High School 9th grader and Parent(s)/Guardian(s), As a part of achieving our district’s mission of exceptional, personalized learning, Chaska and Chanhassen High Schools offer two different versions of 9th grade Physics. Our goal is to help students and families choose the courses that are the best fit for the student’s interests and what the student is ready to learn. If students are placed in accelerated courses for which they are not ready, motivated, or interested, then students, parents, and teachers struggle with the incorrect placement and students do not grow and learn like they should. Therefore, objective identification criteria are used alongside a guided student self‐assessment to determine, for each individual student, where they are most likely to reach their fullest potential. All 9th grade students, whether in Physics or Physics X, learn the same content, are assessed on the same standards, and are equally prepared for their futures. But because students learn at different rates, this content is taught on two different schedules: the full year for Physics, and half of a year for Physics X. Students who take Physics X in fall of 9th grade take Chemistry X in the spring. Students who take year‐long Physics in 9th grade will take Chemistry in 10th grade. Full‐year Physics provides the right amount of practice and repetition for most 9th graders, while Physics X is designed for students with very strong math skills who are highly motivated in science and able to learn independently. Physics X has significantly less practice and repetition than most students need to be successful. year‐long Physics, year‐long Chemistry Physics X, Chemistry X Appropriate for most students Appropriate for some students Two full‐year courses: 9th and 10th grade Two half‐year courses: 9th grade fall and 9th grade spring Each course covers 1 year of standards in 1 year. Therefore, each earns 1.0 credit. Each course covers 1 year of standards in 1 semester. Therefore, each earns 1.0 credit. Covers standards for Physics and Chemistry, so meets the graduation requirement for Physics and Chemistry. Prepares students for Biology and for AP or college courses in Physics and Chemistry. Incorporates the amount of practice and repetition appropriate for most students. Incorporates much less practice and repetition than most students need. If you think Physics X may be the best fit for you, please complete the attached four‐page packet and return it in one of the ways indicated by Thursday, March 24. Please contact me with any questions. We’re looking forward to seeing you here in high school in a few short months! Sincerely, Chris Lenius, Coordinator of Gifted Services High School Physics X: Self‐Assessment and Reply Successful students in Physics X have strong math skills, are highly motivated, have a strong interest in science, and are fast learners who enjoy challenges. Student Name ______________________________ Chanhassen High School Chaska High School Part 1: Math Standardized Test Scores Mark one of these and follow the instructions: I attended Chaska Middle School East, Chaska Middle School West, or Pioneer Ridge and took the MAP Math test in 6th and 7th grades.  Look up your scores on Parent Portal and enter them here.  On the tables below, convert your scores from each year into points. Spring 7th grade (2015) MAP Math Test Spring 6th grade (2014) MAP Math Test 244= 1 pt 259 or above = 6 pts 251= 2 pts 250 or above = 4 pts 250= 1 pt 243 or below = 0
256‐258 = 5 pts 247‐249 = 3 pts 249 or below = 0 254‐255 = 4 pts 245‐246 = 2 pts 252‐253= 3 pts  Enter your test scores and points in the blanks below. Add together your points from 6th and 7th grade. ________ ________ . ________ + ________ = ________ 6th grade 7th grade 6th grade 7th grade total test score test score points points points I attended a different school, or I did not take the MAP Math test in 6th and 7th grades.  Find your results from another standardized test of mathematics. Acceptable tests include the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (Mathematics Total, NPR), the TerraNova (Math Composite Score, National Percentile by Grade), the Stanford Achievement Test (Total Mathematics, National PR), the ACT Explore (Mathematics Test, Percent in the U.S. scoring at or below your score), the MCA Mathematics test (percentile), and other statewide math tests (percentile). Classroom tests and course grades should not be used. If you have questions about test scores, contact Mr. Chris Lenius at [email protected] or 952‐556‐3751.  On the tables below, convert your percentile into points. Spring 7th grade (2015) Standardized Math Test Spring 6th grade (2014) Standardized Math Test th
th
th
th
95th‐99th percentile = 6 pts 88th percentile = 2 pts 94 ‐99 percentile = 4 pts 87 ‐88 percentile = 1 pt 91st‐93rdpercentile = 3 pts 86th percentile or below = 0
93rd‐94th percentile = 5 pts 86th‐87th percentile = 1 pt th
th
89 ‐90 percentile = 2 pts 91st‐92nd percentile = 4 pts 85th percentile or below = 0
89th‐90th percentile = 3 pts  Enter your percentiles and points in the blanks below. Add together your points from 6th and 7th grade. ________ ________ . ________ + ________ = ________ 6th grade 7th grade 6th grade 7th grade total percentile percentile points points points  Print a copy of your test score reports, highlight or circle applicable scores, and attach the copies to this packet. What your scores mean: Math achievement test scores are not the only indicator of which Physics course is the best fit for a student, but they do provide some helpful information.  If you had 0‐5 points, year‐long Physics is probably the better course for you.  If you had 6‐10 points, Physics X might be the better course for you. Page 1 Part 2: Self‐Assessment Questions For each of the statements below, identify whether it describes you almost always, usually, sometimes, not usually, or almost never. Answer honestly, and be specific in your responses to the open‐ended questions. almost A. I am highly motivated. Ways I demonstrate this include: always 1. I am able to and I enjoy working independently 2. I am able to and I enjoy working collaboratively as a team member 3. I have enthusiasm for learning experiences 4. Describe a specific time when you were highly motivated in school. usually some‐
times not usually
almost never __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ B. I have a strong interest in science. Ways I demonstrate this include: 1. I have thoroughly enjoyed previous science classes 2. I have a deep understanding of advanced science concepts 3. I learn about science on my own outside of school, even when not connected to a class almost always usually some‐
times not usually
almost never 4. Describe a specific time that demonstrates your strong interest in science. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 C. I am a fast learner who enjoys challenges. Ways I demonstrate this include: 1. I enjoy challenges and challenging courses 2. I need less practice than other students to learn math and science 3. I am able to learn complex concepts independently almost always usually some‐
times not usually
almost never 4. Describe a specific time when you needed less practice and repetition than other students to learn something challenging and complex. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. Describe a specific time when you were genuinely challenged and you dealt well with it. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________ What your answers mean: Motivation, interest, and the ability to learn with less practice and repetition, and are not the only indicators of which Physics course is the best fit for a student, but they do provide some helpful information.  If you answered “sometimes,” “not usually,” or “almost never” for more than just a few questions, or if you had difficulty answering the open‐ended questions, year‐long Physics is probably the better fit.  If you answered “almost always” or “usually” for almost all of the questions, and you were easily able to write specific answers to the open‐ended questions, Physics X might be the better fit. Page 3 Part 3: Your decision Everyone’s goal for this process is the same—to help you get into the course where you will learn and grow the most, so you can reach your maximum potential. For most 9th graders, the best course is year‐long Physics. For a few 9th graders, it’s Physics X. Year‐long Physics is usually the better course for students who had 0‐5 points on standardized math tests OR who answered “sometimes” or less for more than a few questions OR who struggled to answer the open‐ended questions. Physics X is usually the better course for students who had 6‐10 points on standardized math tests AND answered “usually” or more for most of the questions AND easily answered the open‐ended questions. Physics X (and Chemistry X in second semester) would take more time and effort for you than year‐long Physics X would. Be sure to carefully consider other classes you’re taking as well as other activities at school and outside of school. You will be most successful when you balance challenging yourself with keeping everything manageable. Read carefully and mark one: After considering everything in this packet, I think that year‐long Physics (not Physics X) is the best fit for me. Please place me in that class. After considering everything in this packet, I think that Physics X is the best fit for me. Please place me in that class. NOTES TO STUDENTS CHOOSING PHYISCS X:  Like all incoming 9th graders, you still register for year‐long Physics in the online registration system. We make this change after registration is complete.  If you did not find your 6th and 7th grade MAP Math scores on parent portal, be sure to attach copies of your standardized test scores to this packet when you turn it in. I understand this self‐assessment process and I support Student Name ______________________________ my student’s decision. Chanhassen High School Chaska High School Parent/Guardian Student Signature ______________________________________ Signature ____________________________ Please return this packet to the main office of Chaska High School or Chanhassen High School by Thursday, March 24, 2016. Or, you may scan all four pages and email to [email protected]
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