Montclair
Public
School
District
May 2016
District Math Newsletter
Grade 6-12 Math Program
Changes Progression
Inside
PAGE 2:
MS COURSE CHANGES
PAGE 3:
HS COURSE CHANGES
PAGE 4:
TRANSITION PLAN
PAGE 5:
PLACEMENT PROCESS
PAGE 6:
MORE INFO
The Math Task Force was formed in December 2015
to clear pathways for all students to have the
opportunity to advance in math. The Math Task
Force focused on recommending Grade 6-12 Math
course offerings, pathways and a placement process
that will provide equity and excellence for all our
students.
The final proposal was presented to the Montclair
Public School District Board of Education on May 4,
2016 and was approved.
Link to presentation:
http://tinyurl.com/mpsmath2016ppt
What does this mean for your child? See next
page
May 2016
MS COURSE CHANGES
Middle School Math Course Sequence
Grade 6
Grade 7
Grade 8
Algebra A
Accelerated
Algebra B
Accelerated
Geometry
*Math 6
Algebra A
Algebra B
Accelerated
Accelerated
Option w/ Geo
*Algebra A
*Algebra B
*With Math Lab as needed
ALGEBRA FOR ALL
Algebra is a foundational course in math that is a pre-requisite for students to
learn in order to be successful in higher level math courses offered at the HS and
colleges.
Algebra A/B is a two-year course program that compacts focus on standards from
Math 7, 8 and Algebra 1. Algebra A will now be offered to all students in 7th grade
and Algebra B for 8th grade students. This will open opportunities for students to
take advanced math classes in the HS . As we transition to this plan all current 7th
grade students will be placed in one-year Algebra course.
REACHING ALL LEARNERS
High performing students in math have an opportunity to take the Algebra A/B
Accelerated courses that cover more Algebra standards at a faster pace at Glenfield
and Mt. Hebron middle schools. Renaissance continues to provide differentiated
instruction within the Algebra A/B classes to meet the needs of all learners.
Students who need additional academic support in math will continue to have the
opportunity to get additional support in math in all three middle schools. The Math
Lab courses will be updated with revised curricula and resources to support
student achievement in math.
OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCE
All students will have the opportunity to double up Geometry and Algebra B in 8 th
grade or to take Geometry with Algebra 2 in 9th grade.
2
May 2016
HS COURSE CHANGES
High School Math Course Sequence
Grade 9
Algebra 2 H
*opt Geo H
or
Algebra 2
Academic
Grade 10
Trig/Calculus H
or
Pre-Calculus H
Grade 11
Grade 12
AP Calculus BC
Calculus III HH
AP Calculus AB
AP Calculus BC
Calculus H
AP Statistics
AP Calculus AB
Geometry H
or
Geometry
Academic
Algebra 2 H
or
Algebra 2
Academic
Trig/Calculus H
or
Pre-Calculus H
Algebra 1
Academic
Geometry
Academic
Algebra 2
Academic
Calculus H
AP Statistics
Pre-Calculus
or
Probability &
Statistics
* Option to double in geometry in 8th or 9th grade to advance.
INCREASED PATHS TO ADVANCED COURSES
Starting with incoming freshmen, there will be two levels of Math offered, Academic
and Honors. This will increase opportunities to advance into Calculus or higher.
All students will take Algebra A/B in Middle School. They will take Geometry then
Algebra 2 in High School. This sequence supports students’ achievement in PreCalculus or Trig-Calculus which are courses that utilize and build on Algebra skills.
This sequence will support student achievement in higher level math courses.
OPPORTUNITIES TO ADVANCE
All students will have the opportunity to double up Geometry and Algebra B in 8 th
grade or to take Geometry with Algebra 2 in 9th grade.
ALGEBRA I/II COURSE REPLACED
Algebra I/II is a one and a half year course that covers Algebra 2 standards over
three semesters. This course has proven to hinder students’ ability to advance in
math by requiring students to take both Geometry and Algebra I/II simultaneously
in their sophomore year.
3
Transition Plan:
May 2016
2016-2017 Course Selection
Current
Grade
5
Current
Course
Math 5
2016-2017
Course options
Math 6 or
**Algebra A Accelerated
6
Math 6
Algebra A or
**Algebra A Accelerated
Algebra A
*Algebra B
Math 7
*Algebra 1
Algebra A
Algebra B
Algebra B
Geometry
Math 8
Algebra 1 or
*Algebra 1 Honors
Geometry
Algebra 2 or
Algebra 2 Honors
Algebra B or 1
Geometry or
Geometry Honors
9
Algebra I/II part 1
*Algebra I/II part 2
9-11
All courses
Continue until
graduation with old
progression
7
8
What will my
child take
next year?
All students who are
currently enrolled in
the HS will continue
and graduate under
the old Math
Progression linked
here:
http://tinyurl.com/
mpsmath2015
Students entering
MHS as freshmen
next year will enter
under the new math
progression
(see p3)
*Course is only offered for that cohort in 2016-2017
**Course is only offered in Mt. Hebron and Glenfield.
Reminder Renaissance continues to provide differentiated instruction within the
Algebra A/B classes to meet the needs of all learners.
4
Placement Process
May 2016
District Algebra
Readiness
Assessment
Math teachers will administer
the the Algebra Readiness
assessment to all 5th and 6th
grade students between:
June 1-June 15
No calculator permitted.
Students with extended time in
IEP/504 will be permitted the
additional time.
Test is aligned with 6th and 7th
grade math standards.
Letters to parents
and guardians:
5th and 6th graders will have
an opportunity to be placed
in Mt. Hebron or Glenfield’s
Algebra A/B accelerated
courses. Letter to
parents/guardians of
current 5th & 6th graders
linked here:
http://tinyurl.com/mpsmath56parents
All 7th grade students will be
enrolled in a one year
Algebra 1 course as we
transition to the new
progression. Letter to
parents/guardians of current
7th graders linked here:
http://tinyurl.com/mpsmath7parent
REMINDER:
ALL STUDENTS THAT DO NOT
PLACE INTO ALGEBRA A/B
ACCELERATED COURSES WILL BE
ENROLLED IN ALGEBRA A/B IN 7th &
8th GRADE.
Reminder Renaissance
continues to provide
differentiated instruction
within the Algebra A/B
classes to meet the needs
of all learners.
5
Textbook and Resources
All Algebra students will use the same textbook with
online access.
Your child’s teacher will provide additional
information on accessing textbooks and resources
for all grades.
Useful sites:
www.mobeymax.com All K-8 students have access
to this resource, please contact your child’s teacher
www.khanacademy.com Free online resource for
tutorials and practice
www.purplemath.com Great resource for supporting
algebra and higher
HELPING ALL STUDENTS SUCCEED WITH ALGEBRA!
Jennifer Bloch
Director of Mathematics
6-12, Testing & NCLB
OF F I C E O F
CURRICULUM &
INSTRUCTION
May 2016
montclair
public schools
22 VAL LEY ROA D
MONTCLAIR, NEW JERS EY 07 042
WWW.MONTCLAIR.K12.NJ.US
Email:
[email protected]
Office:
973-509-4030