Below please find the pedagogy and process that the Freehold Township School District has successfully used to place students in math classes at the middle schools.  

Listed below are brief descriptions of the sections as well as the criteria needed to meet the requirements for the Accelerated and Honors sequences. 

Grade Level Mathematics Sequence 

6 Math, 7 Math, and 8 Math are grade level math courses.  They are challenging courses whose curriculum is aligned to the New Jersey Student Learning Standards (NJSLS).  In each grade, students will study content covering number and numerical operations, geometry, data and statistics and algebra.  Students will be engaged in challenging problem solving tasks to apply their mathematical knowledge and skills.  The goal of these courses is to develop students’ understanding of number and its relations to algebra and algebraic thinking.  Students leaving these courses will have a strong foundation in algebraic concepts and reasoning and will be prepared for Algebra I in high school and on track for the college prep math program at the high school.    At the end of each school year, students in the grade level sequence are reassessed for possible movement into the Accelerated sequence.

Accelerated Sequence

The 6  Math Accelerated, 7 Math Accelerated, and 8 Algebra courses are recommended for students with advanced abilities in math who learn and understand new math content at a fast pace.  Students complete three years of middle school math content in grades 6th and 7th and then take the high school Algebra I course in grade 8.  The depth and pace of the courses are accelerated.  Students will take the NJSLA for Algebra I at the end of their eighth-grade year.  Students in the 7 Math Accelerated course who have an A+ average over the first three marking periods and are in the 95th percentile or higher on the Winter or Spring i-Ready will be considered for the 8  Algebra Honors class.   Please note: students must have an 86% average by the end of the school year to continue in the accelerated course for the following school year.  During the placement window in June, parents can reach out to the district math supervisor to discuss placement and have the option to waive their child into an accelerated course, despite not meeting the criteria, one time in grades 6-8. Once in an accelerated course, students need to maintain an 86 average to remain on this pathway the following year. Waivers into  Algebra I will also need to take an Algebra Placement Test and earn an 86% before being placed into Algebra. 

Honors Sequence

The honors courses are designed for students who have demonstrated an exceptionally high aptitude for mathematics.  These courses will explore topics in 7 Math Accelerated and Algebra I at a deep level, focusing on problem-solving and application.  Students will be expected to be self-motivated, hardworking, and inquisitive.   Students will take the NJSLA for Algebra I test at the end of their eighth-grade year.   Students must have a 90% average in the 7 Math Honors course to continue to the Algebra I Honors course. Please Note: There are no waivers accepted into Honors classes. 

Criteria for the Accelerated and Honors Sequences:  

5 Math to 6 Math Accelerated:  Students must make 3 out of 3,  Students who make 2 out of 3 go to Committee.

• • i-Ready Assessment: 60th percentile or higher (Winter Administration)

  • CogATs Assessment: Non-Verbal 112 or higher

  • CogATs Assessment: Quantitative 112 or higher

*Students’ progress on grade level standards will be incorporated into the placement committee meetings.

6 Math to 7 Math Accelerated: Students must make 3 out of 3,  Students who make 2 out of 3 go to Committee.

• • 95% or higher average of First Three Marking Period Grades

  • Algebra Aptitude Test Score

  • i-Ready Assessment: 70th percentile or above (Winter Administration)

6 Math Accelerated to  7 Math Honors: The following criteria are entered into a weighted matrix to determine eligibility.

• • Cognitive Ability Test - Quantitative Battery

  • Average of First Three Marking Period Grades

  • Placement Test

7 Math to Algebra I: Students must make 3 out of 3,  Students who make 2 out of 3 go to Committee.

• • 97% or higher average of First Three Marking Period Grades

  • Algebra Aptitude Test: Raw score of 57 or higher

  • i-Ready Assessment: 90th percentile or above (Winter Administration)

*Significant summer work is required for 7 Math students to move into Algebra I even when they meet the above-listed criteria.  Students will also take an Algebra Placement Test in August before being placed into Algebra. 

7 Math Accelerated to Algebra I Honors  must meet the following criteria:

• • i-Ready Assessment: 95th percentile or higher (Winter or Spring Administration)

  • A 97% average for marking Periods 1-3

Two-Year Accelerated Math Sequence

The two-year accelerated path is a strenuous course trajectory where students will be expected to consistently allocate time to prepare for and complete challenging assignments and assessments. This pathway is only available for students who are entering grade 6. Identified students will skip 6 Math Accelerated and be placed directly into a 7 Math Honors course, leading these students to complete two high school courses in middle school. Parents do no have the option to waive their child onto this pathway. 

Link: Two-Year Accelerated Pathway Pedagogy,  Identification/Placement Criteria, and Course Sequence Overview