Math Acceleration Criteria

Current 5th grade students are evaluated for acceleration based upon the following data sources:

• District benchmark testing (looking for 90th percentile or higher, over multiple tests in the past two years)

• Classroom proficiency in grade level standards and overall performance in mathematics
• Student disposition towards mathematics, including but not limited to, teacher input

When providing input, 5th grade classroom teachers are asked to consider the following characteristics of a math mindset that lends itself well to math acceleration:

• Demonstrates persistence in solving challenging math problems.
• Displays a strong number sense & displays strong math foundational skills
• Demonstrates the ability to explain their mathematical thinking
• Highly motivated
• Demonstrates commitment to their own learning
• Demonstrates self-advocacy
• Organizes data and information and applies mathematical practices
• Completes homework, takes notes and shows work

Current 5th grade students who meet the above criteria are then administered a placement exam, to include an assessment of their proficiency with the 6th grade standards and a short student interview on math mindset.

The summation of the data gathered from all of these sources is used by the committee to make a recommendation to the middle school principal to make the final decision about math placement for 6th grade.

Students currently in 6th and 7th grade are evaluated based upon the following data sources:

• District benchmark testing
• Classroom proficiency in grade level standards and overall performance in mathematics
• Student disposition towards mathematics, including but not limited to, teacher input (see characteristics of a math mindset noted above)

Grade level teachers, in conjunction with OMS administration, will review the above sources of data to make decisions about math placement for the following year.

*Students currently in 6th-7th grade who are in an accelerated class but struggling, may be considered for a non-accelerated class the following year, based upon the same sources of data.

• Initial acceleration includes the approval of the building administrator and formal acceptance of placement by the student’s family. 
• If there are any concerns about newly accelerated student placement, a conference will be initiated with the student’s teacher, family and an administrator.
• Students new to the district will be evaluated based on previous grade level of math completed. Unless there is evidence of completion of accelerated math in a previous school district, new students will not be considered for first-time acceleration before more information from our benchmark testing and classroom observations are available.
• Mid-year acceleration considerations will be extremely rare, and a conference will be initiated with the student’s teacher, family and an administrator to make that decision.
• Acceleration criteria and procedures will be reviewed annually and are subject to revision.
• An Onalaska School District student cannot be initially accelerated past Algebra 1, as they need to complete that course for high school proficiency credit.