Math Placement Exam

The Medford Public Schools Mathematics Department has worked together over the past several years to assess how best to meet the needs of our students. Our main objective is to prepare all students for future success in Mathematics using an appropriate and challenging curriculum. The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) identifies grade-level mathematical concepts and standards for all public school students. Our Mathematics Department is committed to providing equity in opportunities to all students, and our goal is to have a consistent, informed, and ‘student-centered’ approach to the process for all students’ learning needs.

Next Wednesday, May 14, Grade 7, students will take the Placement Exam. This exam will be used as one of many data points to inform our decision to schedule your student for either the Standard or Honors Grade 8 math courses. The Standard Grade 8 course is designed for most of our students so that they receive the requisite skills to find success in the core fundamentals of the subject. The Honors Grade 8 course is designed for students who have demonstrated a clear aptitude at this stage in their mathematics development and have shown that they are prepared for the rigors of a fast-paced mathematics course. Our collective goal at MPS is for each one of our students to be challenged appropriately in the pace and depth of the mathematics course in which they are placed and in context with the other demands of being a middle school student.

Studies indicate that students do better in long-term math learning when equipped with solid foundational math skills. Since acquiring these requisite mathematical skills is the foundation upon which all students will build for their Grade 8 and high school years, we must ensure that our students have met these expectations before they move on to the next chapter in their educational journeys. To that end, the MPS Mathematics Department established the following criteria to ensure all students are placed in the most appropriate mathematics course for their learning needs. To be placed in Honors 8th Grade, a student must:

• Receive a score of 80% or above on the End of Grade 7 placement exam (administered in May).
• Maintain a grade of A- or better for at least two of the first three quarters in their Grade 7 mathematics class (with no grade lower than B+).
• Perform in the upper percentile on NWEA MAP testing (Fall, Winter, and Spring)
• Demonstrate a strong work ethic, as evidenced by consistent and successful work completion, frequent class participation, perseverance in problem-solving situations, and self-motivation to complete work both in and out of class, as observed by the classroom teacher for the student to be successful for the upcoming school year.

These criteria will ensure that all MPS students are placed in the math course that meets their individual learning needs. As such, the criteria have been reviewed and linked to academic success in Honors math opportunities over the past several years. Our data suggests that students who meet the criteria are well-positioned for Honors Grade 8 math. Please note that our placement exam is a standards-referenced assessment of current aptitude in present abilities, which helps measure the potential and readiness for success in a full-year Honors class. Parents and caretakers do not need to prepare their children for the test as it covers the learning from the school year. The idea is to provide a consistent snapshot for all students at this time—and we would not look to ‘retake’ the test instrument.

The 8-12 mathematics programming at MPS provides opportunities for our students to move into accelerated course offerings each academic year. Most students who show good additional readiness and aptitude will have the opportunity to take Honors Integrated Math courses during their 9th-11th grade years, should they choose to pursue Calculus by their senior year. The course flowchart at MHS is attached. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact me at fkhan@medford.k12.ma.us.