Math

PAUSD Middle School MATH FAQ

PAUSD Math Web Page

PAUSD offers a compacted sequence of courses in which students complete four years of Common Core Math in three years. Supports are in place to help each student find success in this compacted program. In addition, for more advanced math students, there is the opportunity to accelerate an additional year during middle school through a math validation process.

This FAQ is intended to provide details about the middle school math program.

What is the course sequence for middle school? How does that compare to Common Core State Standards for Mathematics (CCSS)?
- The traditional course sequence for most students will cover 4 years of Common Core Math standards in 3 years (Common Core 6, 7, 8, and Algebra)
  - 6th Grade: Foundational Math
  - 7th Grade: Concepts in Math
  - 8th Grade: Algebra 1
The course sequence for students who pass the validation tests before entering 6th grade will cover 4 (different) years of Common Core math standards in 3 years (Common Core 7, 8, Algebra, and Geometry).
- 6th grade: Concepts in Math
- 7th Grade: Algebra 1
- 8th Grade: Geometry H
The course sequence for students who pass the validation tests before entering 7th grade, will cover 3 (different) years of Common Core math standards in their remaining 2 years.
- 7th Grade - Algebra 1
- 8th Grade - Geometry H
In which grades are validation tests offered?
- Students entering 6th grade may choose to take validation tests in the Spring of their 5th-grade year.
- Students entering 7th grade may choose to take validation tests in the Spring of their 6th-grade year.
- Students entering 8th grade may choose to take validation tests in the Spring of their 7th-grade year.
Can a 6th grade student take 7th grade math?
- Yes. The only way for a 6th grade student to be placed into 7th grade math is to pass the validation tests.
Can a 7th grade student take 8th grade math?
- Yes. 7th grade students who passed the validation tests will be enrolled in Algebra 1 which is an 8th grade course.
Can an 8th grade student take Geometry?
- Yes. 8th grade students who passed validation tests at the end of 5th, 6th or 7th will be placed in Geometry.
How many years of math can a middle school student accelerate through with the validation process?
- Students may accelerate through a total of 1 year of math while in middle school. This will in effect put them 2 years ahead in math.
What does the validation process look like?
- When choosing to partake in the validation process, students will participate in a two part process.
- Students will take Part 1 of the validation process. Contingent on their results on this first part, students will get notified of whether they qualify to continue onto Part 2.
When will the validation tests take place? (how long is the test, where is the test, etc)
- Grade 6 validation tests will be held during the week of May 8, 2023 on the student’s current elementary school site (Part 1) and on May 15, 2023 at JLS (Part 2).
- Grade 7 validation tests will be held on May 17 at the student’s current middle school site (Part 1) and on May 22, 2023 at JLS (Part 2).
- Grade 8 validation tests will be held on May 17 at the student’s current middle school site (Part 1) and on May 22, 2023, at JLS (Part 2).
- For Spring 2023, the validation tests will be in person.
How do I register for the test to skip 6th grade mathematics?
- No registration needed in 2023.
How do I register for the assessment to skip 7th grade mathematics?
- Register your student for the assessment by Monday, April 10th at 5pm using the form in the letter you received through ParentSquare.
How do I register for the assessment to skip Algebra 1?
- Register your students for the assessment by Monday, April 10th at 5pm using the form in the letter you received through ParentSquare.
Is there a list of topics covered on the validation tests?
- Yes, the list of topics for the Grade 6 validation tests include:
  - 6th grade:
    - Numerical Expressions and Factors
    - Integers
    - Fractions and Decimals
    - Algebraic Expressions and Properties
    - Equations and Inequalities
    - Ratios and Rates
    - Data and Statistics
    - Area of 2-D Shapes
- Yes, the list of topics for the Grade 7 validation tests include:
  - Operations with Integers, Decimals and Fractions
  - Expressions, Equations and Inequalities
  - Proportional Relationships
  - Bivariate Data
  - 2-D Geometry (angles)
  - Pythagorean Theorem
  - 3-D Geometry
  - Exponents
  - Transformations
  - Probability
- Yes, the list of topics for the Algebra 1 validation test include
  - Functions
  - Equations and Inequalities
  - Linear Functions
  - Systems of Linear Equations
  - Exponential Expressions and Functions
  - Quadratics
Is there a deadline for registration for the tests?
- The deadline for registration for the 7th and 8th grade tests is Monday, April 10th at 5pm. There is no late registration. The form is included in the notice you received from ParentSquare.
What is the expected level of understanding that a student must demonstrate to pass the test?
- Students are expected to show mastery of the content and the practice standards. This will require fluency in problem solving and in math procedures paired with clear communication in the documentation of their work.
- This test is not a test of potential. Students may be terrific mathematicians but not yet have been exposed to material. This test looks for mastery of the material that is covered within the year-long course.
If my student doesn’t pass the validation process before 6th grade, is there another opportunity to accelerate?
- If your student does not pass the test, they will take the 6th grade Foundational Math class. Students have two more opportunities to accelerate; at the end of 6th grade and again at the end of 7th grade. Please note that students may accelerate only once during middle school.
Will we receive a score for the mastery test?
- Yes. A score for the test will be digitally provided and reported to parents/guardians.
What happens if my student is sick on the day of the test?
- If your student is sick on the day of the test, please email msmathil@pausd.org.
If my student has a 504 or IEP will they receive accommodations for the validation tests?
- Yes. Please make sure to note on the form if your student has a 504 or IEP with approved testing accommodations.
- Rising 6th grade students, we will work with your elementary principal regarding needed accommodations.
Does my student need to bring anything on the day of the test? Can my student use a calculator on the test?
- The test is in-person; students should bring a district issued device, a pencil and an eraser.
- Students should not bring a calculator, smartphone or smart watch with a calculator.
If my student passes the test, will they be in a class with older students?
- Yes. For students entering 6th grade and who pass the Grade 6 tests are placed into math classes with 7th grade students. There is no guarantee that they will have any other 6th grade students in their class.
Yes. For students entering 7th grade and who pass the Grade 7 test will likely be placed into math classes with 8th grade students. There is no guarantee that they will have any other 7th grade students in their class.
How do I know if my student is ready to skip a grade of math?
- First and foremost, students should be performing strongly in their current grade level course. Students should also have a deep understanding of the material from the course they wish to skip (which is listed above). Additionally, students who are ready to skip a year of math also have solid organization skills, a genuine interest in math, the ability to learn material on their own (without the help of outside tutors), are comfortable asking questions when they are not sure of an answer, are able to work independently, and often look for extensions to the work they are doing in class.
Does PAUSD provide preparation materials for the validation process?
- No. Students who are opting to participate in the validation process must prepare on their own, outside of their current course. Teachers are responsible for providing material relevant to the current course only.
Can my student test out of Geometry?
- Most students will be enrolled in a Geometry course in 9th grade which leads to a calculus course in 12th grade.
- Once students enter high school, they are allowed to challenge courses by examination (BP 6155). If they pass the examination, they will receive a grade and units on their high school transcript with a note that the course requirement was met by examination.
What are the freshman math course offerings for high school?
- Students who successfully complete Algebra in 8th grade will take a Geometry course in 9th grade (Geometry A or Geometry H). Students who successfully complete Geometry H in 8th grade will take Algebra 2, Algebra 2/Trig A or Algebra 2/Trig H in 9th grade.

Please refer to the district website for more information.

If there are further questions, contact the guidance office of your neighborhood middle school.

● Greene Guidance Office

Greene Math Teachers

Name	Position
Patricia Malone	6th Grade Math and Science
Paul Liu	6th Grade Math
Kenny Lee	6th Grade Math/Science
Salma Kandil	6th Grade Math
Kourtney Kientzy	7th Grade Math
Ernesto Macias	7th & 8th Grade Math
Jorie Fields	8th Grade Math and Math Intervention
Bonnie Finato	8th Grade Math
Josh Spira	8th Grade Math - Math Instructional Lead
Jin Zhu	8th Grade Math

Curriculum

Textbooks

Students will link to the online textbook through the student portal. Parents can follow these instructions to get to the online textbooks:

Foundational Math (alternative link > select the green book).
Concepts in Mathematics (alternative link > select the red book).
Math 8: Course 3 (alternative link > select the blue book).
Algebra 1 (alternative link > select the blue and gold book).

Common Core Mathematical Practice Standards

Look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning.
Look for and make use of structure.
Attend to precision.
Use appropriate tools strategically.
Model with mathematics.
Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others.
Reason abstractly and quantitatively.
Make sense of problems and persevere in solving them.

Common Core Content Standards

Foundational Math

This course extends students' understanding and skill to compute rational numbers (decimals, fractions, negatives) and introduces algebraic and proportional reasoning. Many of the concepts and skills will have further reinforcement in a context requiring statistical and geometric (2D) reasoning. The areas of focus are all of the 6th grade as well as some of the 7th grade Common Core Content Standards: number systems, expressions and equations, ratios and proportions, two-dimensional geometry, and data analysis and statistics. The core of all our middle school courses is The Mathematical Practice Standards: reason abstractly and quantitatively; model with mathematics, attend to precision; use appropriate tools strategically, look for and make use of structure; look for and express regularity in repeated reasoning. In 6th grade, students are heterogeneously grouped and work both independently and in cooperative group situations with instruction that is differentiated to appropriately challenge students. Extension and enrichment opportunities are available to all students.

Concepts in Mathematics

The Grade 7 Concepts in Math course is a compacted course that teaches some Math 6 content, the majority of Math 7 content, and some Math 8 content within a single year. It is the second course in a three course sequence that covers 4 years of math in 3 years. Students enrolled in Grade 7 Concepts in Math will be on a path to take AP (Advanced Placement/college level) Calculus course in their senior year in high school.

Algebra MS

The fundamental objectives of this Common Core-aligned course are to formalize and extend the mathematics students learned in their previous two courses in middle school. Students will start the year by working with linear systems. This includes solving algebraic equations, solving and graphing linear inequalities, graphing linear equations in different formats, and writing linear equations for a variety of contexts. Students will then move on to curved relationships, studying the applications of quadratic functions, graphing and solving quadratic equations, and using factoring and the quadratic formula. Students will also learn how to simplify irrational and exponential expressions, solve equations with radicals, and graph the relationships on the coordinate plane. The course will prepare students for one of the Geometry courses offered, when entering high school.

Middle School Acceleration Process

Students who wish to accelerate beyond this already compacted program may take part in the Math Validation Process and, in effect, cover five years of math in three years. Students successful in the Math Validation Process may only accelerate one additional year in the PAUSD middle school pathway. Students may participate more than once if they do not pass the assessments in a previous validation process.

For Spring 2024, rising sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade students who wish to accelerate beyond the already compacted middle school math program may participate in the Math Validation Process.

The updated Math Validation Process will now consist of one paper-and-pencil assessment instead of the previous two-part test. This assessment will evaluate the readiness for the grade-level math course the student would like to challenge, in addition to the student's knowledge of the topics and skills covered in the course.

These assessments are aligned to the state-adopted mathematics content standards. They will consist of multiple-choice (MC) and free-response questions (FRQ). The updated assessments are being developed in partnership with WestEd, a national leader in research, development, and service, alongside PAUSD Math Instructional Leaders.

Participating in the math validation process is optional.
The test will cover the PAUSD grade-specific standards and concepts for mastery.

Grade 6 Validation Process

Grade 5 students who attempt but do not pass the validation test will be enrolled in Grade 6 Foundational Math as described in the sequence. Students who pass the test will be enrolled in 7th-grade Math Concepts.

Grade 7 Validation Process

Grade 6 students who attempt but do not pass the validation test will be enrolled in Grade 7 Math Concepts as described in the sequence. Concepts in Math is the appropriate math placement for most students for their 7th-grade year. Students who pass the test will be enrolled in 8th grade Algebra 1 (with 8th grade students).

Grade 8 Validation Process

Grade 7 students who attempt but do not pass the validation test will be enrolled in Algebra 1. Algebra 1 is the appropriate math placement for most students for their 8th-grade year. Students who pass the test will be enrolled in Geometry Honors.

2023-2024 Middle School Math FAQ

Is my child required to take the math validation test?
No, this test is optional.
What are the dates for the validation test?
May 2024 test dates are being finalized.
Where will the validation test be held?
Validation tests will be administered (after school hours) at your neighborhood middle school.
How long does the test take?
Test time will be approximately 1.5 – 2 hours.
Are there study materials for the test?
No. Only the information on the standards of the course being challenged will be available.
Is there just one test, or is there a separate test for each challenged course?
There will be only one test for each challenged course. (i.e., one for each of grade levels 6, 7, and 8).
Who is scoring the paper-and-pencil test?
PAUSD middle school math teachers will score the test.
Will my child’s results be shared with me after they are scored?
Yes.
What happens if my child doesn’t pass the validation test?
Students who do not pass the validation test will be placed in a math course based on their current grade-level sequence.
Are retakes allowed?
No. Retakes will not be allowed.
May I accompany my child during the test?
No. Students will be tested in a secured location with other students.
May a parent review the test if they believe there was an error in scoring?
No, as these are secured tests.

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