Frequently Asked Questions For Intermediate Math

1. How do I know if my child is truly ready for an Accelerated Mathematics course?

Take the time to review your child's score reports, extracurricular activities, motivation, and passion for math. Only students who meet the established qualifying criteria should be placed into this program. You should also consider whether your child would benefit from Algebra I as a seventh grader. The intent of the Accelerated Math program is to prepare students for an accelerated math track in high school.

2. Will I be notified of my child's intermediate math placement?

Yes, you will receive a letter in late May that informs you of your child's math placement.

3. My child was in fifth grade Accelerated Math. Will he/she automatically qualify for sixth grade Accelerated Math?

Yes, he/she will automatically be placed into sixth grade Accelerated Math if he/she successfully completes fifth grade Accelerated Math with a grade average equal to or greater than 80. If you do not wish your child to continue in the program, you will need to notify the campus counselor.

4. Do all children who enter the Accelerated Math program automatically qualify for Algebra I as a seventh grader?

No, each child is given an algebraic readiness test and an achievement test during his/her sixth grade year. These data determine the appropriate placement in grade seven.

5. Will I receive the results of my child's ability and achievement tests?

All ability score reports will be sent home by the campus with the January report card. The Instructional Services Department will send the achievement test score report along with the child's mathematics placement by the end of the school year.

6. Can I appeal the decision of my child's math placement?

The parents will be given the opportunity to appeal their child's mathematics placement. The information for the appeal process can be fouind on this website.

7. If my child is placed in the Accelerated Math program and I decide that it is not the right placement, can I remove him/her from the program?

Yes, however, we ask that your child remain in the program until the end of the first grading period. It is very difficult to judge whether a student was placed appropriately based upon one or two weeks of instruction. Please contract your counselor regarding concerns.

8. Where will my child be placed if he/she does not qualify for the accelerated program?

Your child will be placed in fifth or sixth grade Compacted Mathematics.

9. How can I prepare my child if he/she was not in fifth grade Accelerated Math, but qualified for sixth grade Accelerated Math?

Suggestions include, but are not limited to

• Optional week-long course offered in the summer by a Carroll ISD teacher
• Online text sixth grade textbook
• Private tutor

10. Which portions of the InView and Terra Nova tests must my child score at or above the 90th national percentile to qualify for the Accelerated Mathematics program?

• Greater than or equal to 90th median national percentile by age on the entire InView
• Greater than or equal to 90th median national percentile on the mathematic content area of the Terra Nova

11. Why does the district choose to focus on the mathematic content percentile score for the Terra Nova and the total percentile score for the InView?

The Terra Nova Achievement Test evaluates a student's knowledge of the subject matter. The Terra Nova assesses all core content areas: mathematics, social studies, science and reading/language arts. The district focuses on the mathematics content area score to assess whether or not a student has the necessary prerequisite knowledge for an accelerated mathematic program.

The InView Abilities Test is designed to assess students' abilities in reasoning and problem solving using verbal, quantitative and spatial (nonverbal) symbols. Appropriate mathematics placement is dependent upon a student's achievement in mathematics and his/her overall ability to process information at a higher level.

12. Why does the InView Abilities Test Student Individual Profile Report, show two different types of national percentiles and why does the district use the national percentile by age?

In order to answer these questions, it is necessary to define the various types of national percentiles.

• National Percentiles range from 1-99 and are commonly used for reporting test results. Percentiles allow for comparison of a student’s performance to other students who took the same test. You may interpret a national percentile (NP) as the percentage of students in a norm group whose scores fall below a given student’s scale score. For example, if a student’s scale score converts to a national percentile rank of 71, the student scored higher than approximately 71 percent of the students in the national norm group.
  
• Age Percentile reports the student’s cognitive ability as compared to students of the same age regardless of their grade in school. Some students may be considerably younger than their grade peers. This percentile allows parents to determine whether their child is working at a level consistent with their child’s peers in the same age bracket regardless of the grade the student resides.

13. My child is attending tutorials after school almost every day and still seems to be struggling. What should I do?

You need to sit down with your child and discuss whether the accelerated mathematics program is appropriate for him or her. A truly gifted mathematics student should not require excessive help in a math course.