Dear Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Grade Families,
I hope this e-mail finds you well and that everyone had a safe and enjoyable Spring Break. As this school
year begins to wind down, our hard working teachers and administrators are already busy planning next
year’s courses and designing future learning experiences for your children. Although many new and
exciting opportunities await the students at each grade level, I’d like to take a moment to share some
information, specific to math, for those entering or enrolled in the middle school grades.
Our skilled and knowledgeable middle school mathematics teachers have spent a great deal of time
examining and discussing the new Common Core math pathways and have established a series of
criteria designed to appropriately place students on these various paths. Information about the
pathways and qualifying criteria is listed below.
The “Standard” Pathway
The standard math pathway allows students to take Course 1 in sixth grade, Course 2 in seventh grade,
and Course 3 in eighth grade. This pathway covers all of the necessary middle school concepts and still
allows students to complete all CSU and UC required math courses during a student’s high school years.
The “Accelerated” Pathway
Although the standard path is appropriate for many, if not most, students, we recognize that certain
children are capable of working at an accelerated pace. Those students who perform well in sixth or
seventh grade, as measured by the criteria listed below will be eligible for the accelerated pathway. This
pathway typically begins with Course 1 in sixth grade, Accelerated Course 2 in seventh grade, and
Algebra in eighth grade. Please note that Accelerated Course 2 covers content from BOTH Course 2 and
Course 3 and is a rigorous and fast paced course.
To move from Standard Pathway to the Accelerated Pathway, students must achieve 3 out of 4 of the
following criteria:
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85% or better average course grade
85% or better average test grade (without corrections)
85% or better on Final Exam
Mastery on MDTP readiness test
The “Advanced” Pathway
Certain very high performing and capable students may also demonstrate, upon the completion of fifth
grade, readiness for our advanced pathway. This pathway consists of Advanced Course 2 in sixth grade,
Algebra in seventh grade, and Geometry in eighth grade. Please note that the Algebra and Geometry
courses now offered under the Common Core are much more rigorous than those previously offered
and contain many concepts that were traditionally reserved for high school courses.
Students pursuing the Advanced Pathway will skip Common Core Course 1. Therefore, in order to
qualify for this pathway, students must achieve:
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Mastery on MDTP readiness test
AND 2 out of the 3 remaining criteria:
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90% or better average 5th grade course grade
90% or better average test grade (without corrections)
90% or better on District Standardized End of Course Exam
If your child is already enrolled in middle school and is interested in accessing our accelerated pathway,
they will likely need to take the MDTP examination. This assessment will be arranged and proctored by
your child’s current school.
If your child is in 5th grade and is interested in entering the advanced pathway, they must take the MDTP
examination. This examination will be proctored at the middle school your child is scheduled to attend.
The first offering of this exam will be on May 27, 2015 at 3:30 p.m. Please contact the principal of your
child’s future middle school to reserve a spot.
If you have additional questions regarding our middle school math pathways, please don’t hesitate to
contact your child’s teacher, principal, or myself.
Sincerely,
Dave Scroggins
Director of Curriculum and Instruction
Rescue Union School District
(530) 672-4806