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Math Placement 2014-2015
Mark Sontag
IUSD Math Placement Philosophy
Students are placed in math classes when they
demonstrate the pre-requisite knowledge
required to be successful. Students are
accelerated in math when they have
demonstrated knowledge of the Common Core
Standards in math for all prior courses/grades.
Students Entering 7th Grade
 Will be placed into 7th Grade Common Core Math
 Will take the Middle School Math Acceleration Test (MSMAT)
 Assesses 7th Grade Common Core Standards:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/ccssmathstandardaug2013.pdf Pages
46 – 51
 Testing will occur between May 19 and May 23
Middle School Math Acceleration Test
 Format will be paper/pencil, not done on a computer. Calculators are not
allowed.
 All Questions will be Open-Response
 Scoring will be based on Domains (Cluster Scores) as well as an overall score
 Students who achieve a passing score will be placed in 8th Grade Common Core
Math for 7th Grade AND have the opportunity to take the Algebra Acceleration
Test (AAT)
 Students who do not achieve a passing score will remain placed in 7th Grade
Common Core Math AND have a 2nd chance to take MSMAT during the summer
(tentative dates are July 25, 2014 or August 25, 2014)
Resources for the MSMAT
 Released Questions from Previous IUSD Exams
http://www.iusd.org/education_services/Mathematics.html
 Sample Questions Aligned to the 7th Grade Common Core Standards from the
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium:
http://sbac.portal.airast.org/practice-test/
Algebra Acceleration Test: Entering 7th Grade 2014-2015
 Students must have passed the MSMAT to be eligible to take the AAT as an entering 7th Grader in 20142015
 Assesses 8th Grade Common Core Standards:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/ccssmathstandardaug2013.pdf
Pages 52 – 56
 Format will be paper/pencil, not done on a computer. Calculators are not allowed.
 All Questions will be Open-Response
 Scoring will be based on Domains (Cluster Scores) as well as an overall score
 Testing will occur between June 10 and June 12
 Students who achieve a passing score will be placed in Algebra 1 for 7th Grade
 Students who do not achieve a passing score will remain placed in 8th Grade Common Core Math AND
have a 2nd chance to take the AAT during the summer (tentative dates are July 27, 2014 or August 27,
2014)
Algebra Acceleration Test: Entering 8th Grade 2014-2015
 All Entering 8th Grade Students in 2014-2015 will take the AAT, except those students who are in Algebra 1 or
Honors Geometry in 7th Grade.
 Assesses 8th Grade Common Core Standards:
http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/documents/ccssmathstandardaug2013.pdf
Pages 52 – 56
 Format will be paper/pencil, not done on a computer. Calculators are not allowed.
 All Questions will be Open-Response
 Scoring will be based on Domains (Cluster Scores) as well as an overall score
 Testing will occur between May 19 and May 22
 Students who achieve a passing score will be placed in Algebra 1 for 8th Grade
 Students who do not achieve a passing score will remain placed in 8th Grade Common Core Math AND have a 2nd
chance to take the AAT during the summer (tentative dates are July 27, 2014 or August 27, 2014)
Resources for the AAT
 Released Questions from Previous IUSD Exams
http://www.iusd.org/education_services/Mathematics.html
 Sample Questions Aligned to the 8th Grade Common Core Standards from the
Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium:
http://sbac.portal.airast.org/practice-test/
DRAFT Common Core Math Sequence
DRAFT Common Core Math Sequence: Irvine Unified School District
6th Grade
7th Grade
8th Grade
9th Grade
10th Grade
Does Not
Achieve Cut
Score on
MSMAT *
7th Grade
Common
Core Math
8th Grade
Common
Core Math
Algebra 1
Geometry
or Honors
Geometry
Does Not
Achieve Cut
Score on
MSMAT
7th Grade
Common
Core Math
8th Grade
Common
Core Math
Enhanced
Algebra 1
Enhanced
Geometry
Achieves
Cut Score
on MSMAT
8th Grade
Common
Core Math
Geometry
or Honors
Geometry
Algebra 2 or
Honors
Algebra 2
Algebra 2 or
Honors
Algebra 2
Honors PreCalculus
Achieves
Cut Score
on both the
MSMAT &
AAT **
*
Algebra 1
Algebra 1
Honors
Geometry
MSMAT = Middle School Math Acceleration Test: Assesses 7 th Grade Common Core Math Standards
11th Grade
Algebra 2 or
Honors
Algebra 2
Enhanced
Algebra 2
Honors PreCalculus
Calculus AB
12th Grade
Honors PreCalculus
Calculus AB
Calculus AB
Calculus BC
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it possible for a 7th Grade Student to be placed in Algebra 1?
 Yes. The student would need to pass BOTH the MSMAT and the AAT.
2. Who can re-take the MSMAT in the summer?
 Students who do not pass the MSMAT in May. There will be at least 2 summer
testing dates. Students may take the test one additional time in the summer.
Registration is required to take the MSMAT in the summer.
3. Who can take the AAT in the summer?
 Students who do not pass the AAT in June. There will be at least 2 summer testing
dates. Students may take the test one additional time in the summer. Also,
students who did not pass the MSMAT in May, but pass it in the summer, would be
eligible to take the AAT one time during the summer. Registration is required to
take the MSMAT in the summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
4.
If my child took the MSMAT in May and did not pass, is there any way he/she can be
placed in Algebra for 7th Grade?
 Yes. This student could re-take the MSMAT in the summer and if he/she passes, be
placed in 8th Grade Common Core Math for 7th Grade. The student then may take the
AAT one time in the summer, and if he/she also passes the AAT, he/she would be
placed in Algebra 1 for 7th Grade. Registration is required to take the MSMAT and the
AAT in the summer.
5.
If my child is in 7th Grade Common Core Math for 7th Grade, can he/she be in Algebra 1
for 8th Grade?
 Yes. All students in 7th Grade Common Core Math will take the Algebra Acceleration
Test in May, 2015 for placement in 8th Grade math courses. If your child passes the AAT
at the end of 7th Grade Common Core Math, they would be enrolled in Algebra 1 for 8th
Grade. If they do not achieve the cut score on the AAT, they would be enrolled in 8th
Grade Common Core Math for 8th Grade.
Frequently Asked Questions
6. If my child is in 8th Grade Common Core Math for 8th Grade, will they
automatically be placed in Algebra 1 for 9th Grade?
 Placement in Algebra 1 for 9th Grade will depend on the student’s grades in 8th
Grade Common Core Math, a recommendation from the 8th Grade math teacher,
and possibly a passing score on a different version of the AAT.
7. I would like to have my student take Algebra 1 during the summer and start
with Geometry in the 7th (or 9th ) Grade. Is this possible?
 No. Algebra 1 is a state-wide graduation requirement. The Algebra 1 course needs
to be the equivalent of a full-year of instruction and aligned to the Common Core
Algebra 1 standards. Currently, IUSD does not accept Algebra 1 for any student
regardless of grade unless the course is taken for a full-year at an accredited
school.
Frequently Asked Questions
8.
What if my child is not available to take the MSMAT or the AAT during the summer?
9.
Can my child be advanced to a higher math course in 7th or 8th Grade if they don’t pass
the MSMAT and/or the AAT based on their report card grades and teacher
recommendation?
 Assuming your child took the MSMAT and/or the AAT during May or June, the math
placement would be passed on the results from those tests and no further testing
would be done for that student.
 No. Students are placed in 7th Grade Common Core for 7th Grade and 8th Grade
Common Core for 8th Grade. The only pathway to advance in each grade level is to pass
the appropriate acceleration test (MSMAT or AAT).
10. Will I be able to see my child’s actual test after it is scored?
 No. You will receive a report showing the scores for each of the domains as well as an
overall score on the test. We will release the actual questions from this year’s versions
of the MSMAT and AAT in January, 2015.
Frequently Asked Questions
11. Who scores the MSMAT and AAT?
 IUSD teachers and administrators score the test after training to make sure there is
consistency in the scoring process for all students.
12. When will scores be released and how will I get them?
 Passing scores for all tests will be set after grading is completed and will be
published at that time. Current students will receive scores from their
child’s teacher. Students who test during the summer will receive scores
from the district office.
13. Where can I find additional information?
http://www.iusd.org/education_services/Mathematics.html
Contact Information
Mark Sontag
Curriculum Coordinator for Math and Science
Irvine Unified School District
marksontag@iusd.org
949-936-5057