Placement Process
At District 27, we make placement decisions with great care, based on achievement on standardized assessments and teacher feedback regarding classroom performance. We are committed to thoughtful and appropriate placement decisions for all students in order to create the best learning experience for every child. After making placement decisions for years and reviewing historical data, we recognize that a data-driven process is essential for making appropriate placement decisions to maximize success for each student. The following steps outline the processes and criteria for placement in our various math courses.
- Step 1: Create and Review Matrix of Data
- Step 2: Apply Placement Criteria to Matrix of Data
- Step 3: Consult with Teachers
- Step 4: Share Placement Recommendations with Asst. Superintendent
- Step 5: Communicate with Parents
Step 1: Create and Review Matrix of Data
As a data-driven process, we use a matrix to inform math placement decisions. The matrix criteria are reviewed and refined annually by the principals, Math/Science Coordinator, and Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment. We use the following data points within our matrices:
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Terra Nova Math score(s) – test administered after Thanksgiving break
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STAR Math scores at grades 2-5 – tests administered in September, January, and May
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Learning Renewal Interim Assessment Math scores at grades 6-8 - tests administered in October, February, and May
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Common grade level math unit/module assessments
As we review student data, please be assured that every data point for every student is examined. If we observe questionable or discrepant data, we review data from previous years and consult with the teacher(s) regarding the test scores.
Lastly, although the Illinois Assessment of Readiness is not formally part of our matrices, we review IAR math scores in light of math placement decisions.
Step 2: Apply Placement Criteria to Matrix of Data
Grades 3 - 5 Math Extensions:
The Math Extensions Program is designed to serve students generally performing within the top 15 to 20% of the cohort on at least three of the five assessments listed below. At grade 5, the program serves students within the top 20% of the grade level who are not placed in Honors Math. Please be aware that the top 15% or 20% is not the same as the national percentile on the various standardized assessment reports. Also, math Extensions is not an accelerated program. Rather, it provides math enrichment.
Grade 3 Math Extensions
Criteria for placement in Semester I (Fall) Math Extensions - In conjunction with teacher feedback, students may qualify for Math Extensions Session I (Fall) by meeting one of the following criteria:
- 99 National Percentile/Percentile Rank on 3rd Grade Fall or 2nd Grade Spring STAR Math AND 97 National Percentile or higher on 2nd Grade Terra Nova Mathematics
- 99 National Percentile/Percentile Rank on 3rd Grade Fall or 2nd Grade Spring STAR Math AND 95% average or higher on classroom math assessments from 2nd grade.
- 97 National Percentile or higher on 2nd Grade Terra Nova Mathematics AND 95% average on higher on math assessments from 2nd grade.
Updated January 2023 Criteria for placement in Session II (Spring) Math Extensions - In conjunction with teacher feedback, students may qualify for Math Extensions Session II (Spring) by meeting one of the following criteria:
- 99 National Percentile/Percentile Rank on 3rd Grade Fall or Winter STAR Math AND 97 National Percentile or higher on 3rd Grade Terra Nova Mathematics
- 99 National Percentile/Percentile Rank on 3rd Grade Fall or Winter STAR Math AND 95% average or higher on classroom math assessments from current school year.
- 97 National Percentile or higher on 3rd Grade Terra Nova Mathematics AND 95% average on higher on math assessments from current school year.
Grade 4 Math Extensions
Criteria for placement in Semester I (Fall) Math Extensions - In conjunction with teacher feedback, students may qualify for Math Extensions Session I by meeting one of the following criteria:
- 99 National Percentile/Percentile Rank on 4th Grade Fall or 3rd Grade Spring STAR Math AND 97 National Percentile or higher on 3rd Grade Terra Nova Mathematics
- 99 National Percentile/Percentile Rank on 4th Grade Fall or 3rd Grade Spring STAR Math AND 95% average or higher on classroom math assessments from 3rd grade.
- 97 National Percentile or higher on 3rd Grade Terra Nova Mathematics AND 95% average on higher on math assessments from 3rd grade.
Updated January 2023 Criteria for placement in Semester II (Spring) Math Extensions: In conjunction with teacher feedback, students may qualify for Math Extension Session II (Spring) by meeting one of the following criteria:
- 99 National Percentile/Percentile Rank on 4th Grade Fall or Winter STAR Math AND 97 National Percentile or higher on 4th Grade Terra Nova Mathematics
- 99 National Percentile/Percentile Rank on 4th Grade Fall or Winter STAR Math AND 95% average or higher on classroom math assessments from current school year.
- 97 National Percentile or higher on 4th Grade Terra Nova Mathematics AND 95% average on higher on math assessments from current school year.
Grade 5 Math Extensions
Updated 6/29/2022: Students may qualify for Math Extensions if they meet the Terra Nova and STAR criteria. Additionally, students should demonstrate strong classroom performance with at least 90 percent average on unit assessments.
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Terra Nova Mathematics - Scale Score of 673 (93rd National Percentile).
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STAR Math - Winter OR Spring 2022 - 98th or 99th National Percentile.
- Fourth Grade Math Unit Assessments Average - 90% or higher.
Grade 5 Math Honors
Updated 6/29/2022: To be placed in Honors Math, a student’s assessment scores should meet the following benchmarks:
- 2020-21 OR 2021-22 Terra Nova Mathematics Score - National Percentile of 97 or higher.
- STAR Winter OR Spring 2022 Score - National Percentile of 99. Expanded criteria due to the impact of the pandemic: 98th National Percentile.
- Fourth Grade Math Unit Assessments Average - 95% or higher.
The above benchmark scores represent performance typically within the top 15% of the cohort.
Grade 6 Math Honors
- Terra Nova Mathematics Score - National Percentile of 97 or higher from 4th grade or 5th grade. Expanded Criteria: National Percentile of 95 or 96 from 5th grade.
- STAR Winter or Spring Score - National Percentile of 99. Expanded Criteria: National Percentile of 98.
- Fifth Grade Math Unit Assessments Average - 95% or higher.
The above benchmark scores represent performance typically within the top 15% of the cohort.
Grade 6 Math Accelerated
- Terra Nova Mathematics Score: National Percentile of 86 or higher from 4th grade or 5th grade.
- STAR Winter or Spring Score: National Percentile of 94 or higher.
- Fifth Grade Math Unit Assessments Average - 85% or higher.
- Expanded Criteria for Terra Nova or STAR: National Percentile on Terra Nova of 80 or higher from 5th grade OR National Percentile on STAR Winter and Spring assessment of 90 or higher. Please note that a student may not qualify using the expanded criteria (lower criteria) for both Terra Nova and STAR. Therefore, a student must meet one of the benchmarks listed in the top two bullet points along with the Unit Assessment score listed in the next bullet point.
The above benchmark scores represent performance typically within the top 50% to 60% of the cohort.
Grade 6 Math:
Students who do not meet the criteria for Honors or Accelerated Math are recommended to continue in the on-grade level curriculum. Please note that in January, the new Terra Nova and STAR scores are reviewed for each student in Grade 6 Math. If the scores meet the placement criteria for Accelerated Math, the Principal, teacher, Math/Science Coordinator and Assistant Superintendent review and discuss the child’s classroom performance and the appropriateness of a possible placement change. Data alone will not automatically qualify the child for a placement change.
Step 3: Consult with Teachers
Using the initial placements based on the matrix of data, the Principals and Math/Science Coordinator convene meetings to carefully review and discuss the data with the teachers. The placement of every child in the grade level is discussed. Teachers provide feedback regarding the students’ math abilities demonstrated in class as well as math work habits. For placement in Honors, Accelerated, and Extension classes, we look for confirmation of a student’s ability to do the following:
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Problem-solve efficiently and effectively.
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Persevere through challenging and unfamiliar problems.
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Apply strong mathematical reasoning and make generalizations.
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Demonstrate a high level of precision in math solutions, written explanations, and oral explanations.
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Understand and apply new math concepts and strategies quickly.
The above list is not exhaustive but provides a picture of the characteristics needed to be successful in an advanced math courses. With the additional feedback from the teachers, placement recommendations are made.
Step 4: Share Placement Recommendations with Asst. Superintendent
The Principal and Math/Science Coordinator review the placement recommendations with the Assistant Superintendent. The overall process is reviewed/confirmed and any questionable placements are flagged, researched, and discussed further, which includes contacting parents where there are extenuating circumstances or data that support more than one placement decision. The final placement decisions are made only after the Principal, Assistant Superintendent, and Math/Science Coordinator come to consensus.
Step 5: Communicate with Parents
Grades 5 and 6: Decisions for placement in Grade 5 Math, Grade 5 Math Honors, and all Grade 6 math courses are discussed in the spring and finalized during the summer. The administration proactively reaches out to families where a student's standardized assessment data, classroom data, or unique circumstances warrant a collaborative conversation regarding placement. Placement decisions are mailed home to parents in the summer, who then have an opportunity to dialogue with the school personnel regarding their child's placement.
Grades 3-5 Math Extensions: Placement decisions are made in the early fall (September/October) and invitations to participate in Math Extensions are sent home for students who qualify. The administration proactively reaches out to families where a student's standardized assessment data, classroom data, or unique circumstances warrant a collaborative conversation regarding placement.