Math Course Development

Completing HB5 College Preparatory Course

As an alternative to meeting college readiness requirements on the TSI Assessment, students may earn a waiver to TSI by successfully completing this course. “Successful completion” is achieved by:

1. Earning a 70% or higher on the midterm provided by Austin Community College

2. Earning a 70% or higher on the final provided by Austin Community College

Students may retake the midterm and/or final during the last month of class if they did not pass the first time. (more details in the "Assessment" section below)

3. Earning a 70% or higher for the final course grade which will be determined using the grading guidelines established by the Independent School District (ISD).

Meeting these requirements for successful completion will grant the student a waiver to TSI requirements in Math for a period of (2) two years after graduation.

Once enrolled at Austin Community College, the student has one year to complete a college math course.

This waiver is only guaranteed to apply at Austin Community College.

Students who do not meet these requirements of this course will not earn a waiver to TSI.

Students who earn the waiver by successfully completing the requirements of this course are still strongly encouraged to take the TSI assessment!

HB5 College Preparatory Math Content Framework

Curriculum Overview

During fall 2026 to spring 2027, ACC will pilot ALEKS in its College Prep program. The Curriculum Overview is provided for all teachers regardless of whether they are in the pilot; teachers not in the pilot can see what ALEKS is covering and what students are expected to know by the midterm and final. The midterm will cover Units 1-4, and the final will cover Units 5-7. Unit 8 is not on the final, but it is provided to help with TSI prep.

Target Students:

This course is appropriate for 12th grade students whose performance on measures outlined in TEC §28.014 indicates that the student is not ready to perform entry-level college coursework in Mathematics. This course is designed to advance college and career readiness.

Recommended Prerequisites:

Satisfactory completion of Algebra I and the Algebra I EOC exam, Geometry, and a third credit of mathematics from the courses listed in TAC §74.12(b)(1)(2).

Course Description:

This course addresses a variety of mathematical topics needed to prepare students success in college-level mathematics. Successful completion of this course, as defined by the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the partnering institution(s), grants the student an exemption to TSI requirements for mathematics at the partnering institution(s).

Course Goal:

The College Prep Math course is intended to help students become prepared to take their first-year math course in college. Along the way, it may also help students improve their TSIA2 score or gain a TSI waiver at Austin Community College.

Increasing students’ TSIA2 scores is important because, if they attend Austin Community College (ACC), they may be eligible to enroll in different courses.

Students must have a TSIA2 score of 910-935 and a diagnostic score of 3-4 to take courses within the math department; students with diagnostic scores of 1-2 need to attend Adult or Continuing Education.
If students pass the TSIA2, they do not have to take any developmental math courses alongside their college-level math course.
If they do not pass the TSIA2, they must take developmental courses or math support courses according to their TSIA2 score.

⬇️The following table breaks down which math course students can take based on their TSIA2 scores.

Note: This table is only used at Austin Community College. Other colleges have different requirements.

Lesson plans

Preparing a Lesson Plan

A good lesson plan that is simple yet powerful is based on behavioral research that characterize well-structured lessons. Start lessons by reviewing prerequisite learning. This can include a type of formative assessment. Present new material in small steps, with student practice after each step.

Key steps in creating a lesson plan.

Choose realistic learning goals.
Pick exciting topics or learning contexts.
Know your students' needs and talents.
Use a range of teaching approaches and methods.
Select appealing resources.
Fair assessment.
Evaluation.

Assessment

Midterm and Final Coverage

The Curriculum Overview details the units of the course.
- - The midterm will cover Units 1-4
  - The final will cover Units 5-7
  - Reviews are provided for the midterm and final.

Midterm and Final Rules

Students are not allowed any notes or outside resources.
Students can ONLY use a scientific calculator. No graphing calculators allowed. Desmos scientific calculator is allowed. (What calculators you allow in your class and on your local tests is up to your discretion.)
Students have 1 hour and 20 minutes to take each exam.
- - If you split the test into two periods, give them half the test on one day and the second half on the other.
Students may retake the midterm and/or final during the last month of class if they did not pass the first time.
- - There is only one retake for the midterm and one retake for the final. Students may retake both the midterm and final.
  - ACC will provide the retake version(s).
  - Students must pass on the first or second attempt to be eligible for the waiver.

Accommodations

Notes and formula charts are not allowed on the midterm or final except for materials provided with the exam by ACC.
Even if a student has an accommodation for notes or formula charts on tests, that accommodation does not apply to the midterm or final.
If you have questions about any other specific accommodations, please email the CPM Curriculum Coordinator Theresa Hoang.

Timeline

The midterm and final will be sent to instructors one week before the testing window.

For one-semester College Prep courses

Units 1-4 midterm will be available during October.
Units 5-7 final will be available from November 15 to the end of the semester.
Students may retake the midterm and/or final during December if they did not pass the first time.

For year-long College Prep courses

Units 1-4 midterm will be available from December to January.
Units 5-7 final will be available from April to May.
Students may retake the midterm and/or final during May if they did not pass the first time.

Grading

Scoring Guidelines for Midterm and Final

ACC will provide a key and a scoring guideline for the midterm and final. On the key, each problem on the test is worth 4 points. The general rubric for each problem is 1 point for setup, 2 points for work, and 1 point for the correct answer. Sometimes, when there is little work to show, the correct answer may be worth up to 2 points.

The scoring guideline serves as a reference; ACC defers to instructors' expertise in evaluating student work, particularly since instructional methods may differ from the solutions provided in the key. If instructors need to adjust their criteria when grading problem setup or work, they may do so provided the grading aligns with the general rubric. Instructors should award partial credit as appropriate.

Course Grade

The high school course grade/average is determined by the teacher.

Step 4 Student achievement reporting

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