Dear Teachers and Counselors,
Jordan School District is committed to providing high-quality mathematics instruction for every student. All students are capable of learning and succeeding in mathematics. During the upcoming registration for middle school classes, your 6th-grade students may choose their mathematics courses. Students may choose 7th Grade Mathematics or 7th Grade Mathematics Honors. The core standards are exactly the same for both courses. However, the honors course may move a little faster and/or go a little deeper than the regular math course. It is important that students are given the opportunity to access the math course which best fits their needs. Please encourage your students to discuss their options with their parents/guardians.
The recommended pathway is for all students to take a 7th Grade Mathematics course.
In light of the education experiences surrounding COVID-19, we see a greater need for students to solidify understanding and build a solid mathematical foundation. 7th grade mathematics is the cornerstone for understanding algebra, geometry, ratios and proportional reasoning, which are critical to the understanding of trigonometry and calculus.
Jordan School District’s honors courses begin in seventh grade and continue through high school.
Students will have access to AP Calculus, AP Statistics and Concurrent Enrollment courses, regardless of what mathematics courses they are enrolled in during 7th-grade.
Students can join the Honors Pathway at ANYTIME with no prerequisites.
Jordan District has seen an ongoing pattern, supported by data, showing that students who accelerate through content without a solid foundation in mathematics understanding and skill tend to leave the accelerated pathway. Please note that the Jordan School District has designed opportunities for students to have access to honors courses at every level without having to skip grade levels. Utah Law (Utah R-277.515) states that honors courses now have no prerequisite; however there are requirements for skipping grade levels.
Alternate Accelerated Pathway
For students who are able to demonstrate mastery of 6th and 7th-grade mathematics standards, an alternative pathway is available. In order to access this pathway, students may choose to take an assessment to determine their readiness for 8th Grade Mathematics Honors. The testing window will be between now and February 24, 2022. Students will take this assessment AT HOME, not in your classroom. Students will receive the link to the test in a parent letter.
If students choose to select 8th grade Honors, we will not be able to provide summer courses unlike previous years due to funding being reallocated. Students will have to be fully prepared to begin 8th grade curriculum in August. Many times, they are placed in classes with a majority of 8th grade students.
Here is an outline of the three options.
| 7th grade Mathematics | 7th Grade Honors Mathematics | 8th Grade Honors Mathematics |
| This course is recommended
for the majority of incoming students. It will provide a solid foundation for developing understanding of mathematics in middle school and beyond. This course is recommended for about 80-95% of the population |
This course is recommended for highly motivated students.
It has the SAME standards as 7th grade mathematics, however it is fast paced and goes into greater depth with the content. This course is recommended for 10-20% of the population. |
This course is an 8th grade level honors course. Students will need to enter having mastered the sixth and seventh grade curriculum. Without a solid foundation of 7th grade standards, students will struggle.
This course is recommended for 3%-5% of the population. |
| This is a
Parent and Student Choice |
This is a
Parent and Student Choice |
This requires:
Score of 80% or better on a 7th Grade Assessment |
Questions
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Amy Kinder, Math Consultant Amy.Kinder@jordandistrict.org (801) 567-8469
Sincerely,
Amy Kinder
Amy Kinder, MS Ed, NBCT
Math Consultant
Jordan School District
