Policy 6152.1: Placement in Mathematics Courses
The Board of Trustees believes that a sound educational program must include the study of subjects that prepare students for admission to higher education and/or fulfilling careers. District students shall be provided an opportunity to complete a sequence of mathematics courses recommended for admission into the University of California and California State University systems.
The Superintendent or designee shall work with district teachers, counselors, and administrators and the representatives of feeder schools to develop a well-articulated sequence of mathematics courses and consistent protocols for placing students in mathematics courses offered at district high schools.
Such placement protocols shall systematically take into consideration multiple objective academic measures that may include, but are not limited to, statewide mathematics assessments, including state interim and summative assessments; placement tests that are aligned to state-adopted content standards in mathematics; classroom assignment and grades; and report cards. (Education Code 51224.7)
District staff shall implement the placement protocols uniformly and without regard to students' socioeconomic background or any characteristic specified in BP 0410 - Nondiscrimination in District Programs and Activities, including, but not limited to, race, sex, gender, nationality, and ethnicity.
The placement protocols shall provide for at least one reevaluation within the first month of the school year to ensure that students are appropriately placed in mathematics courses and shall specify the criteria the district will use to make this determination. Any student found to be misplaced shall be promptly placed in the appropriate mathematics course.
If a student or parent/guardian questions the student's placement, he/she may appeal the decision to the Superintendent or designee. The decision of the Superintendent or designee shall be final.
The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that all teachers, counselors, and other district staff responsible for determining students' placement in mathematics courses receive training on the placement protocols.
The Board and the Superintendent or designee shall annually review student data related to placement in mathematics courses offered at district high schools to ensure that students who are qualified to progress in mathematics courses based on their performance on objective academic measures are not being held back in a disproportionate manner on the basis of any subjective or discriminatory basis, and shall develop strategies for removing any identified barriers to students' access to mathematics courses. The Superintendent or designee shall also report on the percentage of district students who have successfully completed mathematics courses that satisfy the requirements for entrance to the University of California and the California State University.
Regulation 6152.1: Placement in Mathematics Courses
Placement Protocols
In determining student placement in mathematics courses for students entering grade 9, the Superintendent or designee shall assess whether each student has the prerequisite skills for success in the course and consider student and parent/guardian requests. Such determinations shall be based on multiple measures, including, but not limited to, the following:
- Interim and summative grade 8 mathematics assessments from the California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress
- For students with disabilities, an alternate test or other measures when designated in a student's individualized education program (IEP)
- Other assessments such as Measures of Academic Progress, the readiness tests of the University of California's Mathematics Diagnosis Testing Project, and/or district benchmark assessments
- The student's grades in his/her previous mathematics course
- The final mathematics grade on the end-of-year report card
Individual student performance data shall be analyzed each spring prior to scheduling and placing students into secondary mathematics courses. Students and parents/guardians shall be notified in writing by the end of the school year as to the mathematics course in which the student has been placed.
No student shall be required to repeat a mathematics course which he/she has successfully completed in accordance with district's placement protocols.
When a student does not qualify to be enrolled in a particular mathematics course based on a consideration of the objective measures specified in the placement protocol, he/she may nevertheless be admitted to the course based on the recommendation of a teacher or counselor who has personal knowledge of the student's academic ability.
Students who exhibit deficits in knowledge and skills needed to advance to a higher level mathematics course may receive supplemental instruction to improve achievement of mathematic content standards.
Reevaluation
Within the first month of the school year, mathematics course placements shall be individually reevaluated to ensure placement in the most rigorous mathematics course for which the student has the potential for success.
Criteria for reevaluating each student's placement shall include, but are not limited to, course preassessment results, attendance, and student performance in the first month of the school year as determined by teacher observation and grades on assignments and tests. Student and parent/guardian request for course placement may also be considered.
Notification of Placement Protocol
The district's policy and protocols related to student placement in mathematics courses shall be posted on the district's web site. (Education Code 51224.7)
The Superintendent or designee shall also make the district's placement policy, protocols, and course sequence readily accessible to students, parents/guardians, and staff at school sites and/or in student handbooks.
Appeals
Within 10 school days of an initial placement decision or a placement decision upon reevaluation, a student and his/her parent/guardian who disagree with the placement may appeal the decision to the Superintendent or designee. The Superintendent or designee shall decide whether or not to overrule the placement determination within 10 school days of receiving the appeal.
Galt Joint Union High School District is dedicated to enriching lives and building a caring and collaborative learning community by providing Adult Learners with quality educational opportunities and support services.