Middle School Math Informational Meeting

Frequently Asked Questions and Responses

April 17, 2024

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On April 10, SSFUSD held an online webinar to share information with families about our middle school math course program and pathways. During the meeting, the District presented information about middle school courses, elective course opportunities, and pathways for students who are interested in taking Algebra 1 in 8th grade so they can start their high school math sequence with Geometry. [slide deck / video recording]

In Middle School, SSFUSD students take 7 classes. This is a recent change with the adoption of new bell schedules for all three middle schools for the 2023-24 school year:

Middle School Program (most students - sample schedule)

***6th Grade Elective Wheel

During the 6th grade year, students will take 4 quarter-long elective courses. This format allows students to explore their interests and develop skills in a range of courses in preparation for 7th and 8th grade, when they will select their semester- or year-long elective courses. Course offerings are determined by campus based on student interest and staffing.

For more information about middle school courses, please view the District’s Middle School Programming Guide for 2024-25. This document reflects course offerings for the 2024-25 (note: not all elective courses are offered at every middle school, due to staffing and student interest).

Questions from attendees were collected and are listed below with responses from District staff.

Question: Do 6th graders NOT take Math? (See Slide 13)

Answer: All 6th graders are assigned a math class called “CCSS Math 6”  during their 6th grade year. This course is aligned with the California Common Core State Standards.

Question: Are any of the 6th, 7th, 8th courses "honors" or advanced in any way?

Answer: No “Honors” classes are not offered in our middle schools. SSFUSD does offer “Honors” classes in our high schools.

Question:  Does this apply to kids with an IEP?

Answer: Yes, the math pathways apply to all students.

Question: Confirm no Advanced class in 7th Grade? (See slide 13)

Answer: For the 2024-2025 school year, SSFUSD will not be offering what has traditionally been known as the “Advanced 7th” math class. However, students who meet the necessary placement criteria have the option to accelerate their math education by taking two courses—CCS 7 and CCS 8—during their 7th grade year. For those who prefer not to accelerate in 7th grade, students will have the opportunity to advance in 8th grade by enrolling in both CCS 8 and Algebra 1. It is important to emphasize that SSFUSD is committed to providing all students the chance to accelerate in middle school and access Geometry during their freshman year.

Question: You stated that we have mixed results from the Advanced Math 7 class?

Answer: Our district data shows that for the graduating class of 2023, 314 (53%) met the minimum college eligibility requirements.  Of those students:

• 85(27%) had taken Advanced Math 7 in Middle School

• 61(19%) took Calculus

When we look at the students who had taken Advanced Math 7 the data showed that:

• 39(46%) had taken Advanced Math 7 and went on to take Calculus
• 46(54%) students did not use the acceleration to get to Calculus

 While Calculus is not a requirement for graduation it is the only math class that requires 5 years of high school level math.  There are currently, and will continue to be, other avenues for advancement both in Middle and High School to allow students to access Calculus before graduating.  

Question: How many electives do 7th and 8th graders have?

Answer: Students in 7th and 8th grade have 5 core classes and 2 electives. Some elective courses are semester-long while others are year-long. Sample schedules are:

Question: Does my student have to take two math courses?

Answer: The majority of SSFUSD students take the general sequence - CCS 6 in 6th grade, CCS 7 in 7th grade, and CCS 8 in 8th grade. They then go on to high school to take Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 to complete a college-prep course of study to meet minimum college entrance requirements. With the change of bell schedule to a 7 period day in 2023-24, SSFUSD expanded access to Advanced Math and Algebra 1.

• 90% (2019 - 2020) of students took the following math courses - CCS 6 - (6th), CCS 7 (7th) and CCS (8)
• 91% (2022 - 2023) of students took the following math courses - CCS 6 - (6th), CCS 7 (7th) and CCS (8)
• 84% (2023 - 2024) of students are currently enrolled in the following math courses - CCS 6 - (6th), CCS 7 (7th) and CCS (8)

• 15% (2019 - 2020) of students took Advanced Math 7 and then Algebra in their 8th grade year
• 14% (2022 - 2023) of students took Advanced Math 7 and then Algera in their 8th grade year
• 25% (2023 - 2024) of students are taking Advanced Math 7 + CCS 7 and will take Algebra in their 8th grade year
• 21% (2023 - 2024) of students are taking CCS 8 and Algebra during their 8th grade year

Question: Will students in their senior year have the option to take Calculus BC? (See Slide 12)

Answer: SSFUSD currently offers the following Advanced Placement (AP) Statistics and AP Calculus AB. Students who are interested in math courses beyond these course offerings are able to take college courses through a local community college for concurrent enrollment. Concurrent enrollment programs allow high school students to take courses at the community college tuition-free, with the opportunity to earn college credit.

Question: When do families enroll in 2 math classes? Will this opportunity be limited in capacity or will it be open to everyone?

Answer: Middle school students who are interested in taking 2 math classes will need to take the MARS assessment as part of the placement process. Middle school site leaders will share information when the test will be administered to interested students.

Question: Why are 6th using two different books? 2 books teach in different ways? The children are lost. I don't think they will be able to score well this year.

Answer: During the 2023-24 school year, many math teachers participated in piloting instructional materials as part of our mathematics adoption process. Some classes may have used as many as two different textbooks to try out the materials and collect feedback from teachers and students about how they aligned with our district’s goals for the teaching and learning of mathematics. Generally, math courses use one textbook with supplemental materials which may include workbooks or online materials.

Question: If my 7th grader is already taking adv math (2 classes) this year, he’ll automatically go into Algebra for 8th grade?

Answer: Yes, students who successfully complete the  Adv 7th Math class in 23 - 24 will take Algebra only in 8th grade. We want students to complete the pathway.

Question: Will you offer Algebra 1 or 2 or Geometry in summer school so that students can advance when they get into high school?

Answer: SSFUSD has offered Geometry and Algebra 2 in previous summers as part of the high school program for students that meet placement criteria.

Question: Basic Question, are courses CCS7 and CCS8 taken concurrently or Semester 1 and Semester 2?

Answer: Students in 7th grade that meet criteria will take two math courses - CCS 7 and CCS 8 - concurrently in 24 - 25.

Question: What is PLTW? (See slide 11)

Answer: Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is a nationally-recognized organization that designs and offers STEM course curriculum and training in engineering and technology-related career technical education pathways. SSFUSD introduced PLTW elective courses at the middle school beginning with the 2023-24 school year. These courses are designed to ignite student interest in STEM fields and provide hands-on learning experiences with automation, robotics, design, and computer programming.

Question: How can kids learn and understand STEM without basic foundation of Math?

Answer: Math is an integral component of STEM, which encompasses Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math. Students begin to build their foundation in STEM when they enter the school system. By the time they reach middle school, efforts are made to broaden STEM-related elective offerings. For example, programs like Project Lead the Way are introduced to help students develop problem-solving skills and deepen their understanding of mathematical concepts outside of a traditional math classroom setting. These initiatives are designed to enhance practical knowledge and provide a hands-on approach to learning that can supplement their core math education.

Question: Will summer school be offered between 6th and 7th grades, for students who meet the 2 out of 3 requirements for advanced math in 7th grade?

Answer: For summer of 2024, SSFUSD is not offering summer math advancement courses due to budgetary constraints and the adoption and transition to a new math curriculum for the 24 - 25 school year for all grade spans (elementary, middle and High School).

Question: What does Math 8 teach? Why would students need to take both Math 8 AND Algebra?

Answer: CCS Math 8 - Algebra standards SSFUSD doesn’t allow students to “skip” math classes. We want all students to take the CCS 6, 7, and 8 to ensure that their foundational math skills are strong so they can be successful in higher level math courses. Students would not need to take Math 8 and Algebra, if students would like to advance in Middle School they have the opportunity.

Question: Students shouldn't have to wait until 9th grade to take Algebra 1 and Geometry.  This was originally provided in middle school before, still don't understand you guys take it away if students are ready to reach higher education to start Algebra and Geometry NOW.

Answer: Algebra courses have been offered in middle schools since 2014; Geometry has only been offered in middle school if it was before 2014.

Question: Is there an opportunity to take Algebra 1 in the summer (Skyline Community College, summer school, etc.) before freshman year for students who are more prepared at that time?

Answer: Algebra 1 is offered in summer school to make up math credits towards graduation or to retake Algebra to try to earn a “C” grade or higher so the course can count towards meeting college entrance requirements. In previous summers, SSFUSD has offered Geometry and/or Algebra 2. Concurrent enrollment (taking courses at Skyline Community College during the summer) has an age requirement (16 years or older) so this option is available to students in high school. Most community colleges no longer offer mathematics courses below Algebra 2.

Question: Can students take Algebra or Geometry via community college / online courses to meet requirements (and still have elective options)?

Answer: Courses taken outside of SSFUSD, including from online providers, are not accepted for middle school. In high school, students must consult with their school counselor as many outside or online courses may not meet college eligibility requirements. Concurrent enrollment  (taking courses at Skyline College during the summer) has an age requirement (16 years or older) so this option is available to students in high school. Most community colleges no longer offer mathematics courses below Algebra 2.

Question: Where can we find detailed curriculum info for each grade?

Answer: We have a scope and sequence for our math courses but they will be redone due to the new math adoption. This overview of the CCS math standards shows what standards are associated with each grade level/course.

Question: What are the California State University and University of California system minimum requirements for high school math to be accepted?

Answer: Here is a resource that shows the CSU minimum eligibility requirements vs UC minimum eligibility requirements.

Question: Will there be elevated math this summer?

Answer: Yes, SSFUSD is offering Elevate [Math] this summer to students entering grades 3 through 9 in 2024-25. The Elevate [Math] (E[M]) is a summer intervention program designed to align with students' Common Core math classes and elevate their proficiency in the subject in time for the academic year. Priority registration is currently underway for students who have been identified based on their 2023-24 CAASPP scores (Level 2 - not met), and then open registration will begin in late April. For more information about registration, please visit the District’s summer programs website: https://www.ssfusd.org/apps/pages/summer-programs.

Question: Is there an option for students to skip math 8 and just take Algebra 1?

Answer: SSFUSD doesn’t allow students to skip math classes. We want all students to take the CCS 6, 7, and 8 to ensure that their foundational math skills are strong so they can be successful in higher level math courses.

Question: If students could actually take a full year of Algebra 2 or Geometry in the summer in high school, why can't the middle school students do summer 6th, 7th or 8th grade math in middle school. In high school it is likely that students will want to get jobs or internships so pushing that advanced math to high school summers is challenging.

Answer: Classes taken in middle school do not count towards meeting graduation nor college entrance requirements. You need 3 years of math to meet the math requirement. SSFUSD suggests that all high school students take 4 years of math. The high school math summer math courses are intensive 6 hour courses due to instructional hours required to meet course standards. This is not developmentally appropriate for middle school students.

Question: Will you be supporting a curriculum that has no accelerated math pathway?

Answer: Educational Services Department will make the recommendation regarding the new math curriculum for elementary, middle and high schools at the 4.25.24 board meeting. The school board will need to agree with the recommendation or inform the Superintendent of the desired next steps.

Question: Why not push 6th grade math into 5th grade and let students advance starting in elementary school. Or let them test out of 6th grade math.

Answer: SSFUSD and the authors of the 2023 framework take the stance that students should develop a strong math foundation in Elementary and Middle School. Chapter 6 of the new math framework states "Developing mathematics for true understanding in transitional kindergarten through grade five is pivotal. Students who experience meaningful mathematics that makes sense to them during the elementary grades will be well prepared to increase their mathematical understanding as they advance through middle school and high school." Also from Chapter 9 of the California Math framework "In the elementary years, students should experience common mathematics content that lays a productive groundwork of conceptual understanding for more advanced mathematics. Students work in different ways and at faster or slower rates, but this does not mean that they should be exposed to different content."

Question: What does MARS stand for?

Answer: MARS stands for  Mathematics Assessment Resource Service. Mathematics Assessment Resource Service (MARS), creators of Balanced Assessment, to design exams for grade 2 through pre-calculus. Each grade-level exam is made up of five tasks. The tasks assess mathematical concepts and skills that involve the five core ideas aligned to the Common Core State Standards taught at that grade/course. The exam also assesses the Common Core standards of mathematical practice. The tasks require students to evaluate, optimize, design, plan, model, transform, generalize, justify, interpret, represent, estimate, and calculate their solutions.

Question: When will CAASPP scores be posted?

Answer: CAASPP results are expected in late June for students in grades 3-8 and 11 who take the CAASPP assessments in Spring 2024. Parents/guardians will be able to access their students’ digital score reports through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal once they are made available to the District. The District sends out notifications to families once scores are posted, with instructions about how to access the score reports.

Question: When will my child register for classes next year?

Answer: Current middle school students have selected their elective course choices for next year. Information about the process for signing up for the placement assessment for students interested in taking 2 math courses (CCS Math 7 and CCS Math 8 in 7th grade, or CCS Math 8 and Algebra 1 in 8th grade) will be shared with students and parents in late April.  For students who want to take 2 math courses in 7th grade and meet the placement criteria, their schedule may look like this: