A. Smith, P. Woodbury, R. DeSoto, P. Whalen (2:30 - 3:00 pm and later )
1. Placement Test - discussed how a placement test might be useful if a student has signed up for a subject that may be too hard for them and/or to discuss with parents if the need arise. It would be one way to help decide how to place the students. Grade 8 will give the Orleans-Hannah Algebra Prognosis Test in May to all of the students. It is a multiple choice test over algebra. 60 questions in 60 minutes. One point each. The other 40 points comes from how students do in each of their academic classes. 2 point for a D, 4 points for a C, 6 points for a B, and 8 points for an A. It is recommended that a score of 80% or higher be reached to fully succeed in Algebra 1.
2. Class List - Grade 8 will have a master list for each team and a recommendation on what class each student should take from what we ass grade 8 teachers have seen throughout the year. Included on the list will be the scores from the Orleans-Hannah Test (including the break-down score). The list will be given to the high school in June.
3. Algebra 1 in three semesters - The high school is looking to have a slower paced Algebra 1 class available for those students who may need it. The students would take Algebra 1 over three semesters instead of two. Other Algebra 1 courses would also be available (Algebra 1 and Honors Algebra 1). The high school needs to go to the school board with this. A letter from Grade 8 explaining the need for a slower-paced course might be helpful.
4. Gifted-and-Talented - Discussion on what it might look like at the high school. Discussed having no tracks (from the State) and what that might mean. It would be great if both 8th grade teams had the ability to have the "top" math students go above and beyond in the regular classroom.