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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Our math placement letter with a description of the various math classes for 6th grade is in parentvue. [/quote]
Can someone please share the cutoffs they're using for 6th grade placement?  [/quote]

There are 3 math classes for 6th grade this year: Math 6, Math 6 Advanced, and Pre-Algebra for 6th Graders.  The letter specifies "minimum score indicating a student might be ready for a 2-year compacted curriculum in grade 6."  My read is that this refers to Math 6 Advanced.   These minimum scores are:
Sol 5: 466+
CogAT Quantitative: 126+
CogAT Nonverbal: 126+
CogAT Composite: 126+
NWEA MAP Achievement Percentile: 90th+[/quote]126+ was the Cogat cutoff for pre-algebra for 6th graders last year.  It's strange they're using that for the cutoff for Math 6 Advanced.[/quote]

I don't think these are hard lines.  My child exceeded most of these scores and was placed in pre-algebra.  The letter also says: "Additional information that can be used to determine mathematics course placement includes: teacher recommendations based on classroom performance, parent recommendations, student interest and preference for mathematical challenge, and demonstrated aptitude through grades, portfolios, or classroom observations."  The one "hard line" I am aware of is the new state law that all students scoring in the top 25% of the 5th grade SOL be placed in an advanced math class in 6th grade.  But both Math 6 Advanced and Pre-Algebra could as advanced, for the state's purposes.  It will be interesting to see the number of students enrolled in each of these classes when APS enrollment data comes out in the fall.[/quote]
Can you share the SOL and MAP cutoffs for 6th grade pre-algebra this year?[/quote]

The placement letter only shares the cut offs listed above.[/quote]
It's interesting it's a black box between Math 6 Advanced vs Pre-algebra placement.  Last year they wanted a 550 SOL score for pre-algebra and that seemed to be a hard cutoff.[/quote]

Anyone receive this year's SOL cutoffs for Pre-Algebra in their letter? Or have other years to compare to besides last? Is it always around 550?[/quote]

My son is in high school and I THINK in years past they didn't even use the SOL?  It was the COGAT and the old math inventory they used to give them.  But I am not certain and could be wrong.

I can see the COGAT should be a main driver.  SOL scores can be very dependent on a teacher and how much they drill/review with them.  [/quote]

I also have a kid in HS who was placed in math 6-7-8 in 6th by his elementary. My impression was they looked at everything and it was a holistic review, not a hard cutoff for any one test. My kid actually had an oddly low score on one standardized assessment, but the school still placed him in the higher class anyways. I didn't have to parent place him. Things may have changed since, but I appreciated that they didn't gatekeep based on one low score. FWIW, it was the right placement. [/quote]
Elementary schools don't participate in placement decisions.  It's done at the APS central office.[/quote]

This could be a lie but the letter does say this:

Additional information that can be used to determine mathematics course placement includes: teacher 
recommendations based on classroom performance, parent recommendations, student interest and preference for 
mathematical challenge, and demonstrated aptitude through grades, portfolios, or classroom observations. [/quote]
You can ask your 5th grade teacher, but ours told us she never has a chance to provide input.  The elementary school math coach and teacher have said many times that they aren't part of the placement process.[/quote]

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