Math Pathways

Traditional Mathematics Pathway

Starting with the 2014-2015 school year, most students will take Common Core (CC) Math 6, Common Core Math 7, Common Core Math 8, Common Core Algebra 1, Common Core Geometry, and Common Core Algebra 2. Students who successfully complete CC Algebra 2 can be enrolled in higher mathematics courses such as Pre-Calculus, Statistics, etc. Please note that the previous 1997 California Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 courses no longer exist.

The Regular Mathematics Pathway for grades 6-12 is shown below.

Accelerated Mathematics Pathways

Students who demonstrate advanced skills in mathematics may be eligible for placement into an Accelerated Mathematics Pathway beginning in grade 7, or into an Highly Accelerated Mathematics Pathway beginning in grade 6. Both of these pathways aim to advance math students who show mathematics conceptual understanding, knowledge of procedural skills, fluency, ability to apply mathematics and who also demonstrate superior or excellent academic work effort in school and at home.

The Highly Accelerated Mathematics Pathway beginning in grade 6 is intended for the highest achieving students in mathematics. Placement into the Alternative Mathematics Pathway is based on a student’s previous grade 5 and grade 6  marks in mathematics, the results of a mathematics placement assessment administered upon parent request for student placement into the Highly Accelerated sequence, and on performance on math SBAC summative assessment.

Students are placed into the Highly Accelerated Pathway only upon parent approval and upon meeting the placement criteria. The Highly Accelerated Mathematics Pathway is a highly specialized program, and not all schools offer this pathway. If needed, a student’s school can help parents find other District schools that may provide the pathway.

The Accelerated Mathematics Pathway and the Highly Accelerated Mathematics Pathway from grade 6 to grade 12 are shown below.

Students in the accelerated pathways must demonstrate success at the end of each school year in order to continue in that pathway.   Compacted accelerated courses are extremely rigorous, and students must also demonstrate continued academic success in these courses throughout the school year as a condition for enrollment in the Accelerated or Highly Accelerated sequence. If a student earns less than a “B” in the semester course, the child’s placement may be adjusted.

Students who do not accelerate in middle school, but have shown exceptional achievement in mathematics in 8th grade, may accelerate in high school.

LAUSD Middle School Mathematics Pathways Video