SB 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 pupil course grades) as the basis for placement and (2) permit multiple checkpoints to assess placement accuracy and pupil progress, especially at the start of the academic year.

Placement in Mathematics Courses- BP/AR 6152.1

Math Placement Policy for Students Entering Grade 9

Pupil achievement in mathematics is important to prepare pupils for college and their future careers, especially those careers in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Placement in appropriate mathematics courses is critically important for a pupil during his or her middle and high school years. A pupil’s 9^th grade math course placement is a crucial crossroads for his or her future educational success. (SB 359)

The Santa Paula Unified School District, in collaboration with middle and high school teachers, counselors and administrators have adopted the following mathematics placement policy to be implemented beginning March 2016 for the 2016-17 school year. All protocols in the policy meet SB 359 requirements.

Students shall be enrolled in mathematics courses based on the placement protocols. No student shall repeat a math course in which he/she has successfully completed based on the district’s protocols.

Math 1 Honors

• Grade of A in Math 8
• Grade of B- in Math 8 Honors
• Local CCSS Aligned Interim Assessment- Met or Exceed Standards
• CAASPP Summative Assessment-Met or Exceeded Standards
• Teacher Recommendation

Math 1 CP

• Grade of C- or better in Math 8
• Local CCSS Aligned Interim Assessment- Met or Nearly Met Standards
• CAASPP Summative Assessment- Met or Nearly Met Standards
• Teacher Recommendation

Math 1A

• Grade of D or below in Math 8
• Local CCSS Aligned Interim Assessment- Not Met
• CAASPP Summative Assessment- Not Met
• Teacher Recommendation

When a student does not qualify to be enrolled in a higher level mathematics course based on a consideration of the objective measures specified in the placement protocols, he/she may nevertheless be admitted to the course based on the recommendation of a teacher of counselor who has personal knowledge of the student’s academic ability.

Within the first four weeks of school, the SBAC Summative Assessment and current classroom assessments will be used as a check point to ensure all students are appropriately placed. Any student found to be misplaced will be promptly placed in the appropriate mathematics course.

Within 10 school days of initial placement decision or a placement decision upon reevaluation, a student and his/her guardian who disagree with the placement of the student may appeal the decision to the Superintendent or designee. The Superintendent or designee shall decide whether or not to overrule the placement determination within 10 school days of receiving the appeal. The decision of the Superintendent or designee shall be final.