In eighth grade, students are assessed using a standards-based testing that measures students’ mastery of standards in expressions and equations, geometry, the number system, ratios and proportional relationships, and statistics and probability, as well as the basic Computational Skills Assessment. Teachers will also review year-long progress on assessments, grade point average in math courses, and class participation. This will help provide information for teachers as they provide recommendations for students’ placement going into high school mathematics. There are a variety of math classes students can enter into when they reach high school and you can see the math pathways here.

Incoming 9th grade students new to the district will be provided an opportunity to take the placement exam and provide additional information.  Contact our registrar, Barbara Tansy, for more information.

For enrollment matters contact our Registrar:

• Barbara Tansy

  • btansy@scottsvalleyusd.org

• 8th grade math CAASPP scores

  • state standardized assessment

• District benchmark assessments administered in spring of 8th grade year

• 8th grade math course and grade

SV Middle School 8th graders will take the Math Readiness assessments in March.

Parents will receive notification of high school placement after results are processed and considered along with other data by May.

Parents may request a meeting with staff to discuss placement and provide additional information for consideration.

Students interested in taking our most rigorous math pathway, the Math Academy, must complete the application process.  This will be made available to all SVMS students in March.

Contact your students counselor for more information:

• Last name A-K:  Sarah Hershey

  • shershey@scottsvalleyusd.org

• Last name L-Z:  Grace Wahl

  • gwahl@scottsvalleyusd.org

SVHS uses multiple objective measures in determining math placement to ensure that students are not held back on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, or socio-economic background.

Senate Bill 359 requires school districts with 8th grades and/or 9th grades to develop, establish, and implement fair, objective and transparent mathematics placement policies that consider multiple objective measures (i.e. California statewide assessments, and student course grades) as the basis for placement and permit multiple checkpoints to assess placement accuracy and student progress, especially at the start of the academic year.

Click here to Request to Review Math Placement

The following practices provide a transparent placement policy which meets the requirements of Senate Bill 359 - The Math Placement Act of 2015:

1. Use multiple objective academic measures of student performance for placement

   • 6th grade math placement test assessment data

   • State math assessment data (SBAC)

   • Local math assessment data (district benchmarks)

   • 8th grade math course and grade

   • Initial Secondary Math Placement is made at the end of 6th grade. Multiple measures include:

     • 6th grade math placement test assessment data

     • State math assessment data (SBAC)

     • Local math assessment data (district benchmarks)

   • Academic Measures used for placement in 9th grade:

     • 8th grade course and grade

     • State assessment data

     • Local assessment data (district benchmarks)

2. Include at least one placement checkpoint within the first month of the school year to ensure accurate placement

   • Placement Checkpoint:

     • Math assessment administered to all 9th graders within the first three weeks of school 

3. Examine aggregate student placement data annually to ensure students who are qualified to progress in math based on performance are not held back on the basis of their race, ethnicity, gender, or socio-economic background

   • Math assessment is administered to all 9th graders within the first three weeks of school to ensure accurate placement

   • 8th grade course completion

   • Summer math course performance data

   • Examination of student placement data: 

     • Number of students by course with grade distribution

4. Offer clear and timely recourse for each student and his or her parent or legal guardian who questions the student’s placement

   • Students and parents participate in a course selection process each school year

   • Students and parents are able to provide additional information to assist with placement decisions

   • Academic guidance services are available to help students select courses relevant to their academic needs

   • Recourse for students and parents: