Accelerated Mathematics, Grades 5 & 6

Contact Information

Pat Watts (wattsp@cisdmail.com)
K-12 Gifted Program Coordinator
                                                           
Jon Fike  (fikej@cisdmail.com)
K-6 Mathematics/Science Coordinator

Fifth and Sixth Grade  Mathematics in Carroll ISD

Carroll ISD students strive for excellence in all subject areas.  They regularly score above state and national norms on standardized assessments.  During the 2001-2002 academic year, in order to provide a more rigorous mathematics experience for our students, Carroll ISD adopted a compacted mathematics program for all fifth and sixth grade students.

Mathematics for fifth grade currently incorporates all of the fifth grade Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) objectives and approximately one-third of the sixth grade TEKS objectives.  The sixth grade mathematics curriculum currently incorporates the remaining two-thirds of the sixth grade TEKS objectives and approximately one-half of the seventh grade TEKS objectives.

Accelerated Fifth and Sixth Grade Mathematics

In 2002-2003, an accelerated mathematics component was designed to address the needs of students identified as exceptionally gifted in mathematics.  The accelerated mathematics curriculum compacts four years of mathematics’ TEKS objectives into two years.  It is designed to ensure that students understand all TEKS objectives for fifth through eighth grades.  Students completing the sixth grade Accelerated Mathematics course should be prepared to enroll in Algebra I in seventh grade.

The qualifying criteria for placement into the fifth and sixth grade Accelerated Mathematics program is purposefully rigorous.  There may be no other subject for which inappropriate placement can impact a student so significantly.  Each criterion for eligibility was carefully selected to ensure identification of highly gifted mathematics students.

Eligibility for Accelerated Fifth and Sixth Grade Mathematics

Students qualifying for the Carroll ISD Accelerated Mathematics program must demonstrate exceptional skill in both mathematic ability and achievement as demonstrated by current standardized test scores and grades.  These students must be passionate about mathematics and desire to challenge themselves academically.  They should aspire to enroll in the most difficult mathematics courses at the high school level.

The qualifying criteria for the Accelerated Mathematics program are rigorous.  Although high achievement is critical for success, it alone will not prepare students to be accelerated by two years and be ready to take advanced mathematics courses at the middle and high school levels.  Students not only need to demonstrate high cognitive capabilities but also need to possess a strong work ethic.  This is essential for success in advanced mathematics courses.  Students who are placed into the Accelerated Mathematics program should not require excessive tutoring before or after school to be successful in the course.

Referral Process for Placement Into Accelerated Mathematics

Fifth Grade

Parent referral for possible placement into the fifth grade Accelerated Mathematics course is not required for fourth grade students currently enrolled in Carroll ISD.  All fourth grade students currently enrolled in Carroll ISD will be screened by the District for possible placement into the fifth grade Accelerated Mathematics course.

Sixth Grade

1.  Referral for placement into sixth grade Accelerated Mathematics is only required for students who have not participated in the fifth grade Accelerated Mathematics course.

2.  Parents or teachers of students not currently enrolled in the fifth grade Accelerated Mathematics course may refer students by submiting a completed sixth grade Accelerated Mathematics Referral Form by the referral deadline.

     Sixth Grade Accelerated Mathematics Referral Form > (updated form coming soon)

2.  Referred fifth grade students will be administered a cognitive abilities test and an achievement test on two Saturday mornings in the spring. Check the Carroll ISD assessment calendar for specific dates. 

3.  Students who score at or above the 90th percentile on both an achievement test and a cognitive abilities test will be considered for the Accelerated Mathematics program. The placement decision for Accelerated Mathematics focuses primarily on the national percentile from the achievement test’s mathematics content area, and the national percentile from the non-verbal portion of the cognitive abilities test.  Further explanation of these scores can be found in the Accelerated Mathematics FAQ.

4.  A scoring matrix is used to determine appropriate mathematics course placement for fifth and sixth grade students.  The scoring matrix assigns point values from 0-5 for levels of performance in five areas:  non-verbal cognitive ability, mathematics achievement as measured on a district-approved standardized test, TAKS commended performance in mathematics, the student’s mathematics grade average for the first five marking periods, and the number of core classes other than mathematics in which the student has maintained a grade average of 90% or better.  The maximum number of available points for the matrix is 33.  A current fifth grade student must obtain a total matrix score equal to or greater than 24 points in order to qualify for the Sixth Grade Accelerated Mathematics Program.

5.  A District Accelerated Mathematics Placement and Review Committee will meet to consider all data for each student.

6.  Parents will be notified by mail of the placement decision. 

IMPORTANT:   Students placed in the Accelerated Mathematics program must maintain a grade average greater than or equal to 80% to remain in the course.  This expectation is particularly important in preparation for the middle school program where the minimum average grade expectation increases to 85% for both Pre-Algebra and Algebra I.

Placement in Fifth and Sixth Grade Accelerated Mathematics

1.  Fourth grade students who score at or above the 90th percentile on both an achievement test and a cognitive abilities test will be considered for the fifth grade Accelerated Mathematics program. The placement decision for Accelerated Mathematics focuses primarily on the national percentile from the achievement tests’ mathematics content area and the national percentile from the non-verbal portion of the cognitive abilities test.  Further explanation of these scores can be found in the Accelerated Mathematics FAQ.

2.  A scoring matrix is used to determine appropriate mathematics course placement for fifth and sixth grade students.  The scoring matrix assigns point values from 0-5 for levels of performance in five areas:  non-verbal cognitive ability, mathematics achievement as measured on a district-approved standardized test, TAKS commended performance in mathematics, the student’s mathematics grade average for the first five marking periods, and the number of core classes other than mathematics in which the student has maintained an grade average of 90% or better.  The maximum number of available points for the matrix is 33.  A current fourth grade student must obtain a total matrix score equal to or greater than 22 points in order to qualify for the Fifth Grade Accelerated Mathematics Program.

4.  A District Accelerated Mathematics Placement and Review Committee will meet to consider all data for each student.

5.  Parents will be notified by mail of the placement decision. 

IMPORTANT:  Students placed in the Accelerated Mathematics program must maintain a grade average greater than or equal to 80% to remain in the course.  This expectation is particularly important in preparation for the middle school program where the minimum average grade expectation increases to 85% for both Pre-Algebra and Algebra I.

Fifth and Sixth Grade Accelerated Mathematics Appeal Process

1.  After the District Accelerated Mathematics Placement and Review Committee’s placement meeting, and receipt of the notification of this committee’s decision, a parent may file a formal written appeal by completing this form:

    Placement Appeal Form >

2.  This completed appeal form must be submitted to the campus counselor within 10 working days of the date printed on the placement letter.

3.  Written appeals submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

4.  Reasons for appeal are listed below:

• The home language of the student is not English.
• The student has a disability as identified through the ARD or 504 committee that may have impacted testing.
• The person initiating the appeal has cause to believe that this student exhibits need for placement in the fifth or sixth grade Accelerated Mathematics program.

5.  The District Accelerated Mathematics Placement and Review Committee will convene at a designated time after the initial testing cycle to review any appeals that have been filed by the deadline.

6.  Parents will be notified in writing of the committee’s decision concerning the appeal.

7.  The decision of the District Accelerated Mathematics Placement and Review Committee concerning the appeal is final.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question:  How do I know if my child is truly ready for an accelerated mathematics course?

Answer:  You and your child need to determine if he/she has a deep passion for mathematics, the ability to understand and learn advanced mathematical concepts at a very accelerated pace,  and the time needed to devote to the work that will be required in the course.  The intent of the fifth and sixth grade Accelerated Mathematics course is to prepare students for success in accelerated mathematics courses in middle school and high school.  With the state requirement that all students must complete four years of mathematics in grades 9-12, students who participate in the fifth and sixth grade Accelerated Mathematics course will be required to enroll in the most difficult mathematics courses offered at the high school level.

Question:  Will I be notified of my child’s fifth and sixth grade mathematics course placement?

Answer:  Yes.  You will receive a letter at the end of the current school year informing you of your child’s mathematics course placement.

Question:  Will I receive the results of my child’s ability and achievement tests?

Answer:  Yes.  The ability test score report will be sent home by your child’s campus with the January report card.  The achievement test score report will be sent home by the campus with the June report card.

Question:  In which mathematics course will my child be placed if he/she does not qualify for the fifth and sixth grade Accelerated Mathematics program?

Answer:  Your child will be placed in the fifth or sixth grade Mathematics class.

Question:  Can I appeal my child’s mathematics placement decision?

Answer:  Yes.  Please follow the appeal procedures outlined on this web site.

      Placement Appeal Form >

Question:  If my child is placed in the fifth or sixth grade Accelerated Mathematics course and I decide that it is not the right placement, how may I request a transfer to a fifth or sixth grade Mathematics class?

Answer:  Please contact your school’s counselor.  FYI…Students should remain in the Accelerated Mathematics class until the end of the first six weeks.  This allows teachers and counselors time to judge whether or not your child is appropriately placed. 

Question:  What do I do if my child, who is placed in the fifth or sixth grade Accelerated Mathematics course, struggles to keep up with the pace and rigor of the course?

Answer:  You should discuss with your child whether or not the Accelerated Mathematics program is appropriate for him/her.  For a child to be successful in fifth and sixth grade Accelerated Mathematics, he/she should not need excessive help while enrolled in the course.

Question:  My child was in the fifth grade Accelerated Mathematics course.  Will he/she automatically qualify for the sixth grade Accelerated Mathematics course?

Answer:  Yes.  He/she will automatically be placed into the sixth grade Accelerated Mathematics course, as long as your child has a grade average in the fifth grade Accelerated Mathematics course greater than or equal to 80%.

Question:  My child was in the fifth grade Accelerated Mathematics course, but I do not want him/her to be enrolled in the sixth grade Accelerated Mathematics course.  What should I do?

Answer:  Notify your school’s counselor before the end of the school year so your child can be placed in a sixth grade Mathematics class.

Question:  Do all students who participate in the fifth and sixth grade Accelerated Mathematics course automatically qualify to enroll in Algebra I in the seventh grade?

Answer:  No.  Students are given an algebraic readiness test and an achievement test during their sixth grade year.  These data determine the appropriate mathematics placement in seventh grade.

Question:  How can I prepare my child if he/she was not in the fifth grade Accelerated Mathematics class, but qualified for the sixth grade Accelerated Mathematics class?

Answer:  Resources are available to help your child with this transition.  Contact your school’s counselor for suggestions. 
Examples of types of resources are…

• An optional week-long summer course offered by a Carroll ISD teacher
• On-line text of  a sixth grade mathematics textbook
• Private tutoring

Question:  Which portions of the cognitive abilities and achievement tests must my child score at or above the 95% to qualify for the fifth and sixth grade Accelerated Mathematics program?

Answer: 
The cognitive abilities test is designed to assess a student’s abilities in reasoning and problem solving using non-verbal questions.  This test measures a student’s overall ability to process information and see relationships.  The non-verbal portion of this test is used because of its focus on assessing the complex reasoning ability needed for success in advanced mathematics courses.

The achievement test evaluates a student’s knowledge of mathematics.  This portion of the test assesses whether the student has the necessary prerequisite knowledge and skills required for an accelerated mathematics program.

Question:  Why did the District choose to focus on the total percentile for the cognitive abilities test and the non-verbal reasoning portion of this test and the mathematics portion of the achievement test?

Answer:  The cognitive abilities test is designed to assess a student’s abilities in reasoning and problem solving using verbal and non-verbal questions.  This test measures a student’s overall ability to process information and see relationships.  The non-verbal portion of this test is given extra weight in the matrix because of its focus on assessing the complex reasoning ability needed for success in advanced mathematics courses.

The achievement test evaluates a student’s knowledge of mathematics.  This portion of the test assesses whether the student has the necessary prerequisite knowledge and skills required for an accelerated mathematics program.

Question:  Why does the cognitive abilities test individual score report show two different types of national percentiles and why does Carroll ISD use the national percentile by age?

Answer:  Percentile ranks for the cognitive abilities test have been established for both age and grade groups. 

Carroll ISD uses the grade percentile rank in order to compare a student with the other students in the same grade regardless of their ages.  It allows the district to assess the level of development of each student in comparison with others and with respect to the curriculum for that particular grade.

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