Math Placement for JAMS 6th Graders

Principal Montgomery has sent us information about students' placement in math classes this coming year. She has sent the District's math placement recommendations to 5th grade teachers by now, so you can contact your child's teacher or you can contact Ms. Montgomery at p l mont gomery at seattle schools dot org [remove spaces, replace words with symbols] about your child's JAMS math placement.

Families may opt up by a level, but you need to fill out the paperwork and mail it to JAMS.  Bringing the paperwork to JAMS after July 1 would be best.  Here’s the link to the opt in form. Scroll down until you see a table of languages and select the language you’d like the form in. If you can’t open it, please contact Ms. Montgomery and she can send it to you as a Word document.

Matrix used for 6th grade math placement

Highest Fall or Winter 5th Grade MAP Score	4th Grade MSP Score
	200 - 425	426 - 475	476 - 524	525 and above
100 - 229	CMP 1	CMP 1	CMP 1	CMP 1
230 - 239	CMP 1	CMP 2	CMP 2	CMP 2
240 - 249	CMP 1	CMP 2	CMP 3	CMP 3
250 and  above	CMP 1	CMP 2	CMP 3	Algebra 1

"CMP" stands for the district-adopted middle school curriculum, Connected Mathematics Project. JAMS will be using an updated version. More information about the curriculum can be found at the Pearson website.

Math Placement FAQ

What is the recommendation based on? 

The recommendation is based on MAP and state assessment results from grades 4 and 5. The recommendation matrix is displayed above.

Why does the district use 4th grade scores in placement recommendations? 

Middle schools need to build their schedules well before 5th grade MSP results are available.

Why are some students recommended to skip over a math class? 

The vast majority of students will not be recommended to skip a math class. Most of our math students will be recommended to take the next course in sequence. Math is developmental and sequential and very few students can skip an entire grade of math and not experience repercussions later. Nevertheless, in an effort to offer the best mathematical opportunities for all students, a very few students may be a recommended to take a course beyond the next one in sequence.

What if a family disagrees with the recommendation? 

A family may choose to ask a middle school to place a student in a math class one year beyond the recommended course. To do so, most schools require the students and families to sign a placement contract. 

What should a family consider in helping a student enroll in the right middle school math class? 

Families are encouraged to be very thoughtful about their math enrollment decisions.  Students and parents/guardians should carefully consider a student’s math acuity, confidence, work ethic, and strength of foundational mathematics skills before enrolling in an advanced pathway.

Can students opt into Algebra 1 in Middle School? 

The math department believes the best way to help students be prepared for college and careers is through completion of a mathematics pathway that allows students to experience a balance of procedural fluency and conceptual understanding. To ensure this, it has been the tradition in SPS not to allow students to opt into Algebra 1. However, this year, to accommodate the possibility that the recommended math course may miss a student who is ready for Algebra 1, the district has decided to offer an Algebra readiness test to students who meet one but not both of the criteria for placement in Algebra 1. This test can be requested by the parents or teacher of a fifth grader. It will be given at John Stanford Center once a month beginning in April. More information on this Algebra readiness test can be obtained from Anna Box, Math Program Manager, or Shawn Cook, Assessment Development Professional. Scores and resulting placement recommendations will be communicated to families and to the middle school where the student will enroll.