2017-18 Math Course Recommendations

Tonight, I posted a new "assessment" in TeacherEase that contains my recommendation for all Freshmen, Sophomores, and Juniors (in my classes) for the Math course you should enroll in for the 2017-18 school year.  You will be discussing the registration process with your counselors during a class meeting this Friday, January 27.

I used the following guidelines when making these recommendations:

* Recommendations are based on a combination of factors, most notably a student's score on the algebra  assessment administered last May and your performance in Geometry class during the fall semester.

* A follow-up assessment will be administered during the first week of school in the fall in ALL Alg 1 and Trig classes.  Based on the results of this assessment, some students may be given the opportunity to move from Alg 1 to Trig.  Conversely, some students will be highly encouraged to move from Trig back to Alg 1.  Ultimately, our goal is to place students into the Math course that best fits their demonstrated mastery of algebra concepts.  Please note that departmental guidelines do NOT allow Sophomores to register in Algebra 2.

* Students denoted "Trig (border)" have met the basic criteria for enrolling in Trig, but, in my opinion, are at high risk of struggling in this class.  You would benefit greatly from additional algebra review this summer in a program like ALEKS.  If you don't intend to review this summer, then I would DISCOURAGE you from enrolling in in Trig.  Instead, you would be best served by enrolling in Alg 1.

* Students denoted "ALEKS" have not met the basic criteria for enrolling in Trig and should register for Alg 1.  If you wish to take Trig next year, I highly encourage you to complete the ALEKS review program over the summer to prepare for the follow-up algebra assessment during the first week of school in this fall.  Your performance on this assessment will be the final factor in determining whether or not you can enroll in Trig.

*  Information regarding registration for the ALEKS review program will be available n the U-High Math Dept webpage.  You may contact our Math Department chairperson, Dr. Thompson, if you have questions or issues regarding the ALEKS program.