Math Placement Testing
Guidance & Resources for Families and Caregivers:
Additional Accelerated Math Placement in Middle School
In Beaverton School District, 6th grade students are already on an accelerated math track. Our 6th and 7th grade math classes cover three years of math standards. The math pathway looks like this for middle school students:
While some students may take Math 7/8 or even Alg/Geo/Stats I in 6th grade, the sequence of courses above is the path for the vast majority of math learners; additional acceleration would mean a student skips instruction on targets required for later courses. For a small number of students who have a high degree of proficiency in future learning targets, an adjustment to the math pathway may be appropriate.
To help determine if a pathway adjustment is appropriate, your student can take a math placement test. If they demonstrate a high level of proficiency they may be considered for a single subject acceleration in math and placed into a more accelerated course.
This assessment is optional and about 90% of BSD students follow the course pathway shown above. Math requires strong foundational skills to be successful in high school and beyond. The math placement process is used to ensure all students are appropriately placed in middle school math courses.
For more information on middle school math courses and learning targets: click here.
For more information on testing see the FAQ below.
For current students, requests for Single Subject Acceleration for Math for the 2023-2024 School Year will reopen in March.
Update: BSD will no longer offer placement testing in August. Current BSD students seeking placement testing must test in May. Test sessions will be held at your child’s school.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What level of math does my student need to reach at the end of HS to be college and career ready?
- Why are we providing more accelerated placement testing?
- Are there any drawbacks to skipping a level of MS math?
- What is the process for changing a student's math course next year?
- My student will be new to BSD next year, can they take a placement test?
- If my student is entering the Summa program do I still need to sign up for the test?
- What details do I need to know about how the test is administered?
- What content will the placement test cover?
- What resources does BSD provide for students to help prepare?
- How are the results of testing shared with families and caregivers?
- How many 8th grade students in BSD are currently enrolled in Alg/Geo/Stats 2 or higher?
- Can students pass a BSD Intensive Summer Version (ISV) course to accelerate math placement?
- Can students pass an out-of-district course to accelerate math placement?
What level of math does my student need to reach at the end of HS to be college and career ready?
Why are we providing more accelerated placement testing?
Are there any drawbacks to skipping a level of MS math?
What is the process for changing a student's math course next year?
My student will be new to BSD next year, can they take a placement test?
If my student is entering the Summa program do I still need to sign up for the test?
What details do I need to know about how the test is administered?
What content will the placement test cover?
What resources does BSD provide for students to help prepare?
How are the results of testing shared with families and caregivers?
How many 8th grade students in BSD are currently enrolled in Alg/Geo/Stats 2 or higher?
Can students pass a BSD Intensive Summer Version (ISV) course to accelerate math placement?
Can students pass an out-of-district course to accelerate math placement?
PAST EVENT: Information Night March 31, 2022 @ 7pm.
The district hosted a district-wide information night March 31 to help families and caregivers understand this process and implications. You can view the slides presented from the event below. There is an option to view the speaker notes as well (click the