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.

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 Math Placement

In the 2019-2020 school year, there will be two courses offered for our 6th-grade students:

• 6th Grade Common Core Math (CCM6)  
• 6th Grade Common Core Math Plus (CCM6+)

There are 3 placement assessments that will be used to determine 6th-grade student math course placement for the fall, as shown here in Exhibit A of Administrative Regulations 6152.  In summary, these documents state that in order for students to be placed in Math 6+, they must meet 2 out of 3 of the following benchmarks.

• NWEA (75th %tile and above)
• MARS Tasks (a score of ‘2’ or higher on both tasks)
• 5th grade Common Core Standards Based Assessment (75% and above)

When a student has met one of the three criteria and is very close to meeting a second criteria for Math 6+, classroom teachers will provide input. Teachers will review student progress in the 5th-grade course, considering evidence of mastery as well as students’ work habits, learning goals, and ability to work at an accelerated pace. In addition, parents/guardians and students will receive an input form to identify course hopes for the fall. The purpose of this form is to provide input to the school team prior to final course assignments. Annually, we anticipate informing parents of course assignments after the last day of school in June.

Here is a link that describes the changes to the Math 6+ course, starting in 2019-20. 

7th & 8th grade Math Placement (for 2019-2020)

Current 6th and 7th-grade students (2018-2019 academic school year) who are placed within mathematics course pathways will have the right to remain in those pathways, and thus will not be required to meet the new prerequisites for mastery of standards, as defined in the exhibits.

In addition to this, the following changes will be put in place in order to support the existing 2018-2019 middle school students as we transition to the new board policy:

• Parents/ guardians and students will receive an input form in order to identify your/their perspectives and hopes regarding course placement for the fall. The purpose of this form is to provide input to the school team prior to final course assignments.
• Input from the student’s current mathematics teacher will be taken into account
• School staff will review placement data as defined in the exhibits (Exhibit B & Exhibit C), and students who demonstrate the prerequisite mastery of standards as defined in the exhibits will be considered for placement in a more accelerated course
• Students who are struggling to demonstrate mastery in their current courses will be supported through a Parent/Teacher/ Academic Counselor meeting and/or other site interventions

The rest of the new policy and Administrative Regulations 6152 will initially apply to the 6th-grade class for the 2019-2020 academic school year and continue with the subsequent classes as they enter middle school. In addition to this, we anticipate informing parents of course assignments after the last day of school in June.