HMS
Math Curriculum Changes
The Education Plan Document for the School District of
Greenville County has established Goal 1: To raise the academic challenge and
performance of each student. One strategy to achieve that goal is
"enrollment in Algebra I as the standard mathematics curriculum in Grade 8 and
completion of Algebra I by the end of ninth grade." In order to achieve this
goal, a committee of teachers comprised of middle and high school teachers worked with
consultants to prioritize curriculum, complete textbook alignment, and make test item
recommendations.
To
prepare students for Algebra I in 8th grade, the members of the committee made the
following recommendations which middle school principals agreed to implement.
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The courses for middle level
mathematics will be Pre-Algebra I for all 6th grade students participating in the general
curriculum. The content of the courses is rigorous and exceeds state
standards. The needs of all students will be addressed within this challenging
curriculum.
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At the end of Pre-Algebra II,
students will be recommended for Pre-Algebra III or Algebra I. This assignment will
be based on criteria that includes student performance in Pre-Algebra I and II,
mathematics achievement test score results, and results on an algebra placement test
selected by the District. For the fall of 2000, criteria that are already in place
in the District will be used to recommend placement for Pre-Algebra III or Algebra I in
Grade 8.
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The Algebra I course, which will
be rigorous and based on state standards, will prepare students for the proposed
end-of-course Algebra I test. Regular or honors credit for Algebra I will be awarded
at the end of the course based on student performance during the year and on the
end-of-course exam.
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Textbooks and materials at each
grade level have been reviewed and selected to provide rigor in instruction and alignment
to state standards.
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The proposed recommendations were implemented in the fall of the
2000-2001 year. |
Hillcrest Middle School Online
