Program Description

Math extension is a course that currently uses the seventh grade Glencoe math text and other challenging teacher researched and developed activities that extend the sixth grade math curriculum both horizontally and vertically. It has a more concentrated emphasis on problem-solving and communicating mathematically than the regular sixth grade math program.

Program Rationale Statement

This course exists to challenge those students who have demonstrated an advanced understanding of math concepts and problem solving skills beyond the scope of the regular sixth grade math materials.

Identification Criteria

The following assessments were chosen after it was found that the Terra Nova scores were not a good indicator of a student’s success in the Math Extensions program. It should be noted that this criteria will need to be changed in 2007 when the district no longer has 4th grade WyCAS scores, and as the district adopts a new math program.

• TCS/2 score of 120 or better – this test provides some information on intelligence rating.
• 4th grade WyCAS scores, Advanced score of 4 – this test provided a much more reliable indicator of success in Math Extensions than the 5th grade Terra Nova scores.
• District designed assessment, score of 70% or better – this assessment was developed fro the 7th grade Glencoe placement test and from problem solving questions that not only evaluated the students’ readiness for the 7th grade textbook, but at the same time provided an opportunity to look at students math thinking, problem-solving skills and mathematical communication levels.

Selection Process

Student data is obtained and if the student has shown a combination of any two of the following: a score of 120+ on the TCS/2, a score of 4 on the math portion of the 4th grade WyCAS, or a 70% on the district assessment; they are enrolled in Math Extensions class.

Appeals Process

In the past, parents have always had the option to set up a meeting with the principal and counselor to explain and support their child’s enrollment in Math Extensions. The principal has always had the discretion to enroll a student into the Math Extensions class after that discussion.

Student data is obtained and if the student has shown a combination of any two of the following: a score of 120+ on the TCS/2, a score of 4 on the math portion of the 4th grade WyCAS, or a 70% on the district assessment; they are enrolled in Math Extensions class.