Course+and+Program+Overview

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s), The Utah State Board Of Education has worked with educators throughout the state during this past year to enhance the quality and organization of the Mathematics Core Curriculum. The new Mathematics Core released by the Board implements a number of instructional changes for Kindergarten through High School students. Oquirrh Hills Middle School is excited about the impact these standards will have on students moving from elementary school to middle school.

**The new 2007** **Utah** **Mathematics Core is more rigorous than the previous core. Success in a given course requires mastery of each previous course.** Students might be placed in one of three initial courses next year. Those who attempt to bypass Math 7 or Pre-Algebra in order to accelerate their progress through their mathematics studies, may not develop a strong foundation in rational number sense and algebra basics.  The State Legislature has set new requirements to graduate from High School. A student must complete at least three math courses between their freshman and senior year. Algebra is the first math course recognized as a high school math course, but, only when it is taken as a freshman. If Algebra is taken in eighth grade then geometry will be the first course recognized toward a student’s high school math requirement. Colleges are encouraging students to take math every year in middle and high school. College administrators have found that those students who do not take math their senior year in high school have a more difficult time completing college than those students who take a math course their senior year. Additionally, Taking Pre-calculus is the recommended minimum for college-bound students. (Edelman 1999) Students who study Math 7 or Pre-algebra in 7th grade may study Pre-calculus or AP calculus as a senior. To help place students each sixth grade student will take a placement test as they have done for several years now and their teachers will continue to fill out an assessment for each student. Students will be placed in their seventh grade math course based on their placement test results and sixth grade teacher recommendations. With your help, we know the transition to the new Mathematics Core will go smoothly. 

While it is difficult to predict the exact mathematics sequence of classes that your student will take, here are some ideas of what they may take over the next several years. All students are required to take three years of high school math beginning in 9th grade. However, colleges are recommending that students take four years of high school math. Research has shown that students who complete math courses each of their high school years are more successful in college and in their chosen careers. Here are the courses offered at OHMS: **Pre-Algebra-**Students build on concepts learned in Math 7 by focusing on algebra-basics; integers, symbolic representations, algebraic properties, and solving multi-step equations. **Algebra A and Algebra-**Students apply algebra-basics mastered in Pre-algebra, in the comprehensive study of linear and quadratic functions. The following a few of the possible sequences that a student might follow over the six years of their middle and high school mathematics sequence..
 * What is the Math Sequence? **
 * Math 7- ** Students focus on deep understanding and fluency in computing and solving problems involving fractions, decimals, percents, and ratios.
 * Geometry- ** Students explore two and three dimensional shapes using algebraic thinking.
 * Algebra II- ** Advanced algebra is a more in depth study of quadratic equations that builds on previous courses.
 * Math 8/ 9- ** Students continue focusing on understanding and fluency in computing and solving problems involving fractions, decimals, percents, and ratios (for students on an IEP).
 * Students that begin 7th grade in Math 7 **
 * 7th grade || Math 7 ||
 * 8th grade || Pre-Algebra ||
 * 9th grade || Algebra A ||
 * 10th grade || Algebra B ||
 * 11th grade || Geometry ||
 * 12th grade || Algebra II ||


 * Students that begin 7th grade in Pre-algebra **
 * 7th grade || Pre Algebra ||
 * 8th grade || Elementary Algebra ||
 * 9th grade || Geometry ||
 * 10th grade || Algebra II ||
 * 11th grade || Pre-Calculus, Math 1050, or College-prep Algebra ||
 * 12th grade || Pre-Calculus or Calculus ||