Mathematics instruction in Cupertino Union School District is guided by the California Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.  This includes a combination of content standards as well as the standards for mathematical practices.  Below you will find the latest resources regarding CUSD Math Pathways and Placement.

6th grade Math Courses

There are two courses offered for our incoming 6th-grade students:

• 6th Grade Common Core Math (MA6CC), with optional extension work  
• 6th Grade Common Core Math Plus (MATH6+), with a portion of 7th grade standards and optional extension work

7th grade Math Courses

There are three courses offered for our incoming 7th-grade students:

• 7th Grade Common Core Math (MA7CC), with optional extension work  
• 7th Grade Common Core Math Plus (MATH7+), with a portion of 8th grade standards 
• Algebra 1 Common Core Math (MA7AC), with a portion of 8th grade standards 

 8th grade Math Courses

There are three courses offered for our incoming 8th-grade students:

• 8th Grade Common Core Math (MA8CC)
• Algebra 1 Common Core Math (MA8AC), with a portion of 8th grade standards 
• Geometry Common Core Math (MAAGC), with a portion of 8th grade standards 

Placement in Middle School Math Courses

The District’s math course placement process is intended to place students in the math course that challenges and supports them at their instructional level. Each student’s math placement in middle school math courses will be flexible and responsive to the student’s mastery-based readiness for course material.

6th Grade Placement in Accelerated Math 6+ Course

Math placement for incoming 6th grade students will be based on the results from an adaptive criterion based diagnostic assessment,  two performance tasks from the Mathematics Assessment Resource Services (MARS), and a standards-based assessment. 

For placement in Math 6+, students must meet two of the three criteria to be considered for the course.

• Adaptive, Criterion-Based Diagnostic: 75th percentile
• MARS Tasks: a score of ‘2’ or higher on both tasks
• 5th grade Common Core Standards Based Assessment: proficient or above

7th Grade Placement in Accelerated Math 7+ or Algebra1 Courses

Math placement for incoming 7th grade students will be based on the results from an adaptive, criterion-based diagnostic,  two performance tasks from the Mathematics Assessment Resource Services (MARS), and a standards-based assessment. 

For placement in Math 7+, students must meet two of the three criteria to be considered for the course.

• Adaptive, Criterion-Based Diagnostic: 75th percentile
• MARS Tasks: a score of ‘2’ or higher on both tasks
• 6th grade Common Core Standards Based Assessment: proficient or above

For placement in the Algebra1 course, students must meet each of the three criteria to be considered for the course. 

• Adaptive, Criterion-Based Diagnostic: 90th percentile
• MARS Tasks: a score of ‘3’ on both tasks
• Algebra Readiness Assessment: proficient or above

8th Grade Placement in Accelerated Algebra1 or Geometry Courses

Math placement for incoming 8th grade students will be based on the results from an adaptive, criterion-based diagnostic, and a standards-based assessment.

For placement in the Algebra course, students must meet each criteria to be considered for the course.

• Adaptive, Criterion-Based Diagnostic: 75th percentile
• Algebra Readiness Assessment: proficient or above

For placement in the Geometry course, students must meet each of the three  criteria to be considered for the course:

• Adaptive, Criterion-Based Diagnostic: 90th percentile
• Geometry Readiness Assessment: proficient or above
• Completion of Algebra at CUSD or a comparable Local Education Agency (LEA) 

Math Placement Assessments will be administered in the classroom, between March and May.  The testing schedule is determined by the individual schools.