Math Placement & Sequencing
Overview
Math courses at Lucia Mar School District are developed to follow a curriculum aligned to the California Common Core State Standards in Mathematics (CCSS-M) and to meet the needs of every student enrolled at LMUSD. The courses offered throughout the district are designed to highlight both the Eight Mathematical Practices and the CA Content Standards. (see table below). The math course sequencing and curriculum at LMUSD present a range of opportunities to increase rigor and pacing to ensure every student can find a suitable math course in which they are challenged and can learn effectively. The sequences offer multiple onramps for acceleration in mathematics by designing courses that consolidate multiple years of study and provide the opportunity to take additional courses at the high school level. This sequencing allows students to accelerate in either Middle School or High School.
Math Placement Protocols
To ensure accurate placements for every student, parent/guardians, students and school personnel will consider:
- Success in their current math course; test scores and overall grade
- Readiness for next level course as measured by end-of-year assessments
- California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress (CAASPP) assessment results
- Formative and summative assessments
- Ability to work and persevere independently
- Time commitments for academic and extracurricular activities
Grade 9 - Initial Placement check point
During the first month of high school, all students in grade 9 will be assessed for proper placement using the Fastbridge Assessment.
LMUSD Secondary Math Sequencing Options
Middle School Math Course Sequences
LMUSD offers two math course sequences at the middle school level. The on-grade level sequence has 7th grade students enrolling in Math 7 finishing middle school in Math 8 during their 8th grade year. In the consolidated sequence, students enroll in Math 7 Accelerated course and move into Algebra for their 8th grade year.
Math 7 - Grade 7
Topics covered in Math 7
- Rates, Ratios & Proportions
- Percentages
- Rational Number Arithmetic
- Expressions, Equations & Inequalities
- Circles
- Angles, Triangles & Prisms
- Probability
Math 8 - Grade 8
Topics covered in Math 8
- Congruence & Transformation
- Linear Relationships
- Linear Equations & Linear Systems
- Functions
- Volume
- Statistics
- Exponents & Scientific Notation
- Irrational Number & Pythagorean Theorem
Math 7 Accelerated - Grade 7
*Math 7 Accelerated is a single year course that covers both the majority of the Math 7 and Math 8 standards within one year. (See topics covered above). Expect a rapidly paced course with additional classwork and homework at a complex level. Please see the document linked below for more information.
Recommendations for the accelerated sequence are based on student performance in the following: SBAC, Fastbridge and current math course. Student & Parent course info agreement required
Algebra - Grade 8
Topics covered in Algebra
- Equations & Inequalities
- Functions
- Linear Functions
- Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities
- Exponential Expressions
- Exponential Functions
- Polynomials and Quadratic Expressions
- Quadratic Functions
- Quadratic Equations
- Statistics
High School Math Course Sequences
For graduation, students in Lucia Mar are required to complete 30 units in mathematics courses, including Algebra 1. For most students, this includes the A-G approved courses Algebra, Geometry and Algebra II with the opportunity to enroll in a higher level math course their final year of high school. Higher level courses at the high school level are suggested for UC/CSU admissions, and course offerings are site specific. For further information please see the course listings for the high school of enrollment.
Algebra - Grade 9
Topics covered in Algebra
- Equations & Inequalities
- Functions
- Linear Functions
- Systems of Linear Equations and Inequalities
- Exponential Expressions
- Exponential Functions
- Polynomials and Quadratic Expressions
- Quadratic Functions
- Quadratic Equations
- Statistics
Geometry - Grade 10
Topics covered in Geometry
- Congruence
- Similarity, Right Triangles and Trigonometry
- Circles
- Expressing Geometric Properties with Equations
- Geometric Measurement and Dimension
- Modeling with Geometry
- Probability
Algebra II - Grade 11
Topics covered in Algebra II
- Parent Functions & Transformations
- Quadratic Equations & Functions
- Polynomial Equations & Functions
- Rational Equations & Functions
- Radical Equations & Functions
- Exponential and Logarithmic Equations & Functions
- Trigonometric Equations & Functions’
- Statistics
For the accelerated onramp in high school, the sequence follows a curriculum designed to consolidate the three year progression of Algebra, Geometry and Algebra II into two years. The courses in this sequence are Accelerated Integrated Math I/II and Accelerated Integrated Math II/III.
Recommendations for the accelerated sequence are based on student performance in the following: SBAC, current math course, and end-of-year readiness assessment.
Student & Parent course info agreement required
Central Coast New Tech High School
CCNTHS uses an integrated math model of courses: Integrated I, Integrated II and Integrated III.
These courses use the problem-based Learning model in which students access math through authentic, real-world problem solving. The same state standards are used throughout these courses, yet are scaffolded to build upon each other throughout the 3 year sequence. Students will begin their math course work in Integrated I, unless they've already accelerated in middle school, in which case they'd begin in Integrated II. In either scenario, mathematics at CCNTH also prepares students to meet A-G requirements and to access Honors Calculus 1 & 2 courses offered during the regular school day.