DMS Math Placement

Math placement at DMS is designed to place students into the course that best fits their math knowledge and aptitude.  In a traditional math sequence, a review of the previous content is built into instructional pacing.  It is common for students to learn a math skill or concept one year, and then need review of that concept the following year before building and expanding on that standard. Accelerated courses are appropriate for students that have a high retention of the previous content and are ready for a faster pace of instruction (as in the Math 7/8 or IM1 courses).  There are many other additional considerations that factor into student success in an advanced math course.  For a more comprehensive list of considerations please see the FAQ below.

6th grade

• All 6th graders take the same level of math.  There is no accelerated math at this grade.  At the end of the year 6th grade teachers will make recommendations for our 2 levels of Math at the 7th grade – General Math 7 and Math 7/8.  Those recommendations are based on a number of metrics which include:

o   KDS assessment scores (our twice yearly benchmark exams)

o   CAASPP scores (both previous year and current year, when we receive them)

o   Course grade

o   End of year CPM exam

o   Chapter exams

o   Student voice

o   Teacher input (based on various characteristics for success)

• DMS will notify those students (and parents) who will be placed in Math 7/8 in June.

7th grade

• Our 7th grade levels of math are Math 7 and Math 7/8

• Math 7 students will continue on to Math 8.  Math 7/8 students who are successful (grade of B or higher) will continue on to IM1 in the 8th grade.  Students who are struggling in 7/8 may be moved to Math 7 mid year.

• All Math 7 students may choose to take a placement test we offer in May to determine if they are eligible for IM1.  We will offer optional online lessons if students wish to prepare for the placement test.  Keep in mind that the placement test will measure 8th grade level content and this content will not be covered in the regular Math 7 course.  See the FAQ below for more information about this process.  

8th grade

• Our 8th grade levels of Math are Math 8 and IM1.  

• Math 8 students were placed there from Math 7.

• IM1 students are placed via 1 of 2 possible methods.  

  • Students who successfully (grade of B or higher) completed Math 7/8 will move to IM1 (unless student/parent chooses not to).  

  • Math 7 students who took the placement test and earned a score eligible to be placed into IM1 will be placed there.  

• IM1 students who are successful (grade B or higher) will continue on to IM2 in 9th grade (though each high school conducts their own placement using their criteria).  Students who are struggling in IM1 may be moved to Math 8 mid year. 

Students new to DMS

•  New students will be placed based on their previous math coursework and may be given a placement test to help us determine the appropriate level of Math for the student.

FAQ

Questions about Math Courses

What is the difference between Math 7 and Math 7/8? 

Math 7 includes instruction on the 7th grade Common Core math standards, as well as time to review some of the 5th and 6th grade standards which are prerequisites to 7th grade.  Math 7/8 is an accelerated course that covers both 7th and 8th grade Common Core standards, leaving little time to review prerequisite skills and concepts. In order to cover two years of math in one year, Math 7/8 moves quickly through the standards. Successful students in Math 7/8 have demonstrated strength in the 6th grade standards and will need little (if any) review of previous material while learning the 7th and 8th grade standards. 

Questions about the Placement Test

When are the placement tests and how are results communicated?

The dates for the placement tests will be given to students in the spring.  Dates for the 24-25 school year will be May 7th and 14th (both dates are needed to complete the test) from 2-3pm.  Parents will be informed of their recommended placement before school ends in June.

What content is covered on the placement test?

The 8th grade math placement test covers all of the topics students should understand in order to be successful in Integrated Math 1.  Some of the main topics include: proportional relationships, solving variable equations, multiple representations of linear equations, slope, rate of change, inequalities, systems of equations, triangle geometry and exponential expressions.  More details are linked HERE.

How do I prepare my child for the test?

Students can sign up for the test and gain access to the Google Classroom that will contain links to some self-guided lessons and practice work to help prepare for the test.  7th grade math teachers will coordinate this. This online work is not required, nor will it be graded, corrected or feedback be given.  

Are sample tests provided?

We do not provide any sample tests or test questions.

How do I register my child for the placement test?

7th grade teachers will provide a link to sign up for the test and Google Classroom in January.  Information will be sent out in January with all information necessary (test date, online work, sign up link).  Test dates for the 24-25 school year will be May 7th and 14th from 2-3pm.

Is it possible for a placement score to be lower than my child’s score on a typical classroom test? 

Yes, it is possible for students to score lower on a placement test than on a classroom test.  Cumulative tests that cover a broad amount of material tend to be more difficult for students than unit tests. First, students generally perform better on individual units of study that cover a narrower set of topics. Scores on classroom unit tests are therefore typically higher than scores on cumulative tests. Cumulative tests require students to go back in their learning for several months or more, and many students might have learned a topic in October, but have forgotten it by the time of the test. Second, cumulative tests sometimes require students to synthesize their knowledge of previously learned topics, and this is also more difficult, particularly if a student is still in the process of mastering the individual standard.  Finally, keep in mind that this placement test covers 8th grade material that students will not have seen unless they complete the outside work or get the material in some other manner. 

Why is it that our student didn’t place into IM1 but he/she did well in Math 7? 

The 7th grade placement tests are not final exams covering a student’s understanding of 7th grade content. The tests are designed to determine whether a student is ready to skip Math 8 and jump to IM1, a high school class, as an 8th grader. The placement test will assess understanding of both 7th and 8th grade standards. While some students may have a strong knowledge of the 7th grade content, they may still need a full year of instruction in 8th grade content to be prepared for IM1. 

Is there a placement test at the end of 8th grade? 

There is not a placement test at DMS.  Each high school ultimately determines their placement of students into courses for 9th grade.  Some may offer a placement test at the beginning of 9th grade to assist in any placement outside of the normal path.  

My child was not feeling well on the day of the placement test. May he/she take a make-up assessment? 

Students may not take a placement test twice. If your child is not feeling well on the day of the test, please do not have your child take the test.  In rare situations we can accommodate for a make-up assessment.  

Summer Retakes?

We cannot retest students at the start of the school year in August. The score on the placement test determines placement. The DMS administrative team starts to create the master schedule and determine staffing for each subsequent school year in the previous spring. Creating the master schedule takes several months; when school starts in August it is too late to be retesting and changing class schedules. Classroom space is at a premium, especially in the accelerated classes, and with the exception of new student enrollments, we do not have the capacity to schedule students at the last minute. 

May I see my child’s test? 

The placement tests are secure assessments and are unavailable for viewing. 

Can we just try the (accelerated) course and then switch mid-year to the on-progress level course if it is too difficult? 

There are no “trials” in the accelerated course, and that is why we work hard to determine appropriate placement in the spring.  It is especially important that you review all of the considerations for success in an advanced math course.  A schedule change might affect a student’s entire schedule, English, Social Studies, and Science included, and we avoid these changes because we know that they can have a negative impact on students. Most importantly, when a student changes course levels mid-year, they have missed foundational instruction in the new course.  A student in an accelerated course, earning a C- or higher, will stay in the course. In the rare event that a student earns below a C-, the math teacher will refer the student to the Administration for further discussion and the next steps.  

Profile of successful students in an advanced math course

Academic Strength

• Typically earn a B+ or higher for semester and quarter grades

• Typically earn a B+ or higher on quizzes and unit tests 

• Are capable of retaining math concepts from previous years and require little to no review of prerequisite content

• Are capable of synthesizing concepts from several strands into a single math problem

• Are capable of learning at an accelerated pace

Habits of Mind

• Are self-motivated to prepare or catch up

• Are willing and eager to show work to demonstrate understanding and communicate mathematically

• Complete homework assignments on time

• Have strong organizational skills

Social/Emotional Health

• Have a passion for math

• Are comfortable moving to a less strenuous course on the pathway if struggling

• Are comfortable comparing own math ability to others

Balanced Schedule - Can balance an increased demand of their math course AND:

• After school activities

• Other academics (increase in demand in 7th and 8th grade) and/or academic electives (world language)

• Family time

• Friend time

Questions about how to support my child

In order to be in an accelerated math course at DMS does my child have to take additional classes (or have tutoring) outside of DMS? 

Many students take accelerated math courses with no additional outside coursework or support. There are students who take extra math outside of school, but this is not a factor taken into consideration during placement. We work to ensure that our accelerated math courses are accessible to any student who demonstrates readiness. 

What should I do as a parent?

Continue to support your child in their math education.  Students who are ready for an accelerated math curriculum should be demonstrating the ability to stay current with their work during the school year, as well as the attributes that we have observed to be typical among successful students.

Should students study over the summer? 

That is a family decision.  We are not advocating or suggesting that students “do school” over the summer, nor will it factor in our placement decision.  Everyone needs a break.  That said, you know your child best.  Some students may benefit by reviewing math concepts throughout the summer so that the concepts are fresh when we resume.