6th Grade Placement Test and Math Acceleration

About Grade 6 Math Acceleration

First of all, please be aware that there is no such thing as "accelerated 6th grade math" in the Bellingham School District. Our middle schools offers these math classes:

• Grade 6 Math
• Grade 7 Math (Pre-Algebra)
• Grade 8 Math (Algebra)
• Grade 9 Math (Geometry, but taught at FMS)

Students entering Bellingham Middle Schools who are identified to have mastered 6th grade math concepts and topics are eligible skip 6th grade math and enter Grade 7 Math.

Identifying Students for Acceleration

There is a process in-place to allow for this kind of personalization.

1. Students who meet the following criteria will be automatically invited to take the Grade 6 Proficiency Assessment.
   A Level 4 on the Grade 4 Math MSP
   orA 239+ on the MAP test
   These students will be eligible to take Grade 7 Math if they score 75% or higher on the proficiency assessment.
2. Students may be invited to take the Grade 6 Proficiency Assessment if their teacher recommends them for Grade 7 math.
3. Students may be invited to take the Grade 6 Proficiency Assessment if their parents nominate them for testing (contact your building principal).

When is the Grade 6 Proficiency Assessment administered?

• The assessment takes place on May 26, 2011. (Time TBD).
• Assessments will be administered here at Larrabee and the materials will then be forwarded to the middle school staff for evaluation and placement discernment.
• Results of the assessment along with student recommendations will be completed by June 3rd, 2011.