Secondary Math Pathways

Introduction

Welcome to the Secondary (6th - 12th grade) Math Pathways webpage. The information found here contains information about SCUSD’s current math pathways and the changes proposed by the Math Pathway Committee. The committee met for 5 full days from January 2023 to May 2023 and included parents/caregivers, secondary math teachers, secondary administrators, and counselors with representatives from every secondary school. The committee’s goal was to create pathways that opened the doors to acceleration for students and still had a path for any interested student to complete AP Calculus BC during their senior year of high school.

Board Study Session

On Tuesday, August 15th, a Board of Trustees study session took place focused on proposed changes to the secondary math pathways. These pathways were developed by our Math Pathways Committee consisting of math teachers, parents/caregivers, counselors, and administrators from all secondary sites that met throughout the year last year and presented their recommendations to the Board of Trustees.

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Information/Feedback Sessions

The major changes of the proposed pathways will be explained at the upcoming information/input sessions. These sessions are designed to be two-way so that we gather feedback and input. The team is interested in sharing information on the proposed math pathways, answering questions, and gathering input which will be considered in any shifts that we might make as a consequence. The purpose of these meetings is for the team to share the rationale and proposed pathways, and to also understand your feedback and perspective as we move forward.

Staff Sessions

Principals — All-principals meeting in August.
All Staff — Select from two meeting options in August.
Counselors — Counselors meetings in August and September.

Student Session

SCUSD Student Senate — Elected student representative from each high school in September.

Family Sessions

Select from five meeting options in September. The five family town halls will be held across the district to inform our community members of the proposed changes and hear their input, feedback, and questions. All of the town halls are open to all families. Translation and childcare will be provided at each meeting.

Families can attend the one with the date that works best for them:

September 11 at Buchser Middle School from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
September 12 at Peterson Middle School from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
September 18 at Cabrillo Middle School from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
September 20 at Huerta Middle School from 6:30-7:30 p.m.
September 21 at Callejon Middle School from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Proposed Pathway Roll-Out

Pending board approval, the pathways will be implemented starting in fall 2024.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How were the pathways created?

A committee of secondary math teachers, parents, administrators, and counselors was formed in January of 2023. The committee was facilitated by the Silicon Valley Mathematics Initiative (SVMI) and met for five, 6-hour sessions from January 2023 to May of 2023. The goal of the committee was to create pathways that allowed every student in SCUSD to get to AB Calculus AB or AP Calculus BC without skipping classes or relying on outside resources, while ensuring that all SCUSD students had access to rich mathematical learning. The committee created the proposed pathways by learning about the suggestions in the 2023 CA Math Framework, examining the math pathways in our surrounding districts, and, most importantly, deeply examining the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.

What happens if my kid doesn’t do well in the Algebra 1 with Math 8 compacted course?

If you notice your student is needing more support in learning the content of the compacted course, please reach out to the teacher and your student’s counselor as soon as possible. The teacher and counselor will be able to provide you with the best options for your student. This may include, but is not limited to, moving your child into CC Math 8 mid-year or repeating Algebra 1 after the completion of Geometry. All of our pathways were created to ensure students had a “off-ramp” if necessary.

How does my kid get into the Algebra 1 with Math 8 compacted course?

All students in Math 7 will be given two assessments to help families determine appropriate placement. The placement tests will be the third i-Ready and a MARS Assessment. Based on the scores of these nationally normed assessments, the district will provide a recommended placement for your child. However, it is only a recommendation and families will make the final decision regarding placement.

How does my kid get into the Algebra 2 with Precalculus and Trigonometry course?

Who takes each pathway?

Can I take Alg. 1 in 9th grade and then take geometry in 10th?

The proposed pathways have Geometry in 9th grade. Algebra 1 is not a prerequisite course for Geometry. Taking Geometry prior to Algebra 1 will give students another year to focus on reasoning, logic, problem solving, and critical thinking before taking Algebra 1. It also allows for most students to go directly from Algebra 1 into Algebra 2 which will give students a more coherent Algebra learning experience.

Can my student take AP Calculus BC without AP Calculus AB?

How will teachers be supported to teach diverse groups of students?

For the next several years, SCUSD has made a commitment to ensure all teachers have the instructional routines and supplemental resources necessary to teach a wide range of learners in their classrooms. The Professional Learning plan for 2023-2024 focuses on Math 6 and Geometry Teachers. In subsequent years, the professional learning plan will focus on Math 7 and Algebra 1 teachers.

What is the implementation timeline?

If my kid is entering 9th grade this year without any skipping will they have the option to take Algebra 2 with Precalculus and Trigonometry and get to AP Calculus AB?

Can my student still take outside math courses?

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