• Students in grade 7 have the option to select Math 7, the grade level course for seventh graders, or to select a compacted course, which covers all of Math 7 and half of the Math 8 course.  Passing this course and the following compacted Math 8 / Algebra 1 course allows students to accelerate one year of math prior to enrolling in high school. The compacted course follows a faster pace, includes more frequent assessments, and nightly homework as it combines three years of Math curriculum into two years of school.  

     

    6th Grade

    7th Grade

    8th Grade

    9th Grade

    Grade Level Sequence

    Math 6

    Math 7

    Math 8

    Algebra 1

    Compacted

    Sequence

    Math 6

    Math 7 / 8

    Math 8 / Algebra 1

    Geometry


    Students who do not accelerate in middle school still have the opportunity to do so in high school.  The Acalanes Union High School District offers pathways for students who take Algebra 1 as freshmen to enter Calculus and other AP level Math courses before graduating from high school. This is an important decision to make regarding your child’s learning.     A parent math information evening was held on March 7, 2019, which explained more about the math course options. If you are considering the compacted course pathway, please first take the time to read the information below and to listen to the information slideshow from the Parent Math Information evening on here.

    It is suggested that you take time to discuss this course selection with your child. If your child is interested in the compacted course, you may want to review your child’s math assessment grades and review the enclosed MDTP score report. We have found reviewing these measures can be helpful when considering the compacted math course options. Our goal is to find the best fit to ensure your child’s success.

    When making this choice, your family should consider your child’s academics, study habits, lifestyle, social - emotional needs and overall interest in Math.  If your child currently struggles to maintain good grades, or to keep a regular routine to balance academics and their extracurricular activities, the grade level pathway may be more suitable for your child. Additionally, worldwide studies of mathematical practices indicate the most successful math students spend time building foundational conceptual knowledge at the middle school level and delay acceleration until high school or beyond.

    Your child will be placed in a math class for the school year based on the selection you make during course selection this spring.  If there is a concern regarding your selection, you may be contacted to discuss the placement further. 

     

    CONSIDERATIONS:

    In considering enrolling your child in the Compacted Mathematics Pathway, please review the following information:

    •   Worldwide studies of mathematical practices indicate the most successful math students spend time building foundational conceptual knowledge at the middle school level and delay acceleration until high school or beyond.

    •   Under Common Core State Standards, Algebra I is more rigorous than it was a decade ago and includes standards which were a part of Geometry and Algebra II. As a result, Algebra I is now a high school level course in the State of California. Students who Accelerate in the middle school years take this high school course during their eighth grade year.

    •   Studies indicate that many students who accelerate at the middle school level show content mastery in Algebra I and Geometry, but often begin to struggle during Algebra II/Trig due to a lack of conceptual foundations developed during middle school years. If a student struggles at this level (sophomore year for Accelerated students) and are forced to repeat a course, they will not have four years of successful math during their high school years, which can impact college applications.

    •   The Accelerated Pathway in middle school covers three years' of material in two years. This fast pace does not allow much time for a focus on conceptual understanding. Students often move through the curriculum based on procedural understanding (memorizing and following steps without understanding why or how). Although they may show mastery of material at this level using this method, difficulty can appear in later years, as noted above.