NOTIFICATION OF TESTING AND OPT-OUT FORM

IOWA ALGEBRA APTITUDE TEST (IAAT)

Dear Parents/Guardians:

All students who are enrolled in the Advanced Mathematics Grade 6 course are eligible for screening for placement in Algebra I Honors in grade 7. Your child is among a small number of students who is currently enrolled in Advanced Mathematics Grade 6 and eligible for screening for potential placement in Algebra I Honors next year.

To qualify for this placement, students must first demonstrate readiness for formal abstract thinking as evidenced by a score at the 91st percentile or above on the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (IAAT). In addition to readiness for abstract thinking, students must show mastery of middle school mathematics as evidenced by a score of 500 or above on the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) Grade 7 mathematics test at the end of grade 6. Over the summer, middle schools will use the data from these two assessments (IAAT and SOL) to place your student in the appropriate course.

Algebra 1 Honors is a rigorous course that carries high school credit and is calculated into the student's grade point average. A desire to take Algebra 1 Honors in grade 7 implies a desire to take five additional years of mathematics through high school, including college-level courses. An advanced level alternative to Algebra 1 Honors in grade 7 is Mathematics 7 Honors. It is not necessary for students to take the IAAT in order to enroll in Mathematics 7 Honors.

If you do not want your child to potentially take Algebra 1 Honors in grade 7 and would like to opt out from participating in this screening assessment for potential placement in Algebra 1 Honors in grade 7, please sign this letter and ensure that it is returned to the elementary school no later than _____________.  The IAAT will be administered from ___________ to _____________.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact ___________________.

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IAAT OPT-OUT REQUEST FORM

Complete this form only if you wish to opt-out of the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (IAAT). 

Return this form to your child’s teacher or the school test coordinator before the testing dates above.

      Student Name _________________________________  

I do not want my child to be tested for potential placement in Algebra I Honors in grade 7.

Parent/Guardian Name (Printed) _______________

Parent/Guardian Signature _______________  Date____________

Results Letter

IOWA ALGEBRA APTITUDE TEST (IAAT)

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of:

Your student is currently enrolled in Advanced Grade 6 Mathematics. There are two-course offerings for your student in mathematics next year, Mathematics 7 Honors allows for open enrollment while Algebra 1 Honors has specific requirements for Grade 7 students.

The requirements for Algebra 1 Honors are:

• Successful completion of the Advanced Mathematics Grade 6 curriculum or a year-long accelerated mathematics program
• Score at or above the 91st percentile on the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (IAAT)
• Score a pass advanced (500 or above) on the grade 7 mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL) test

Earlier this year, your child took the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (IAAT). I am writing to inform you that your child scored at the    percentile on this test.

In the spring, your child will take the Virginia Standards of Learning (SOL) Grade 7 Mathematics test. 

During the summer, middle school staff will use the IAAT and SOL scores to determine eligibility for Algebra 1 Honors. For questions about your student’s eligibility, please contact the middle school during the summer after student scores on the SOL Grade 7 Mathematics test have been reported.

If your child is eligible for Algebra 1 Honors but you would prefer a Mathematics 7 Honors placement, please notify the middle school about your preference over the summer.

Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of ________________________:

Earlier this year, your child took the Iowa Algebra Aptitude Test (IAAT). This was the first step in the screening process for placement in Algebra 1 Honors for the following academic year. Your child’s IAAT score was sent to you in early March 2020.  

Historically, for students to be placed in Algebra 1 Honors in grade 7, all of the following criteria had to be met:

• Successful completion of Advanced Mathematics Grade 6;
• An IAAT score at or above the 91st percentile; and
• A pass advanced score (500 or above) on the Grade 7 Mathematics Standards of Learning (SOL) test

Due to COVID-19 and the suspension of Spring 2020 SOL testing, the IAAT score will be used as a single data point in determining Algebra 1 Honors placement in grade 7 for the 2020-21 school year only.  

The IAAT is an aptitude test that measures a child’s readiness for abstract thinking. The Mathematics SOL test measures a student’s mastery of prealgebra content. In the absence of the SOL test score, carefully consider your child’s readiness for this high school algebra course and their mastery of prealgebra content.

During the summer, middle school staff will only use the IAAT to make a mathematics course placement based on your child’s IAAT score. Middle schools will decide on one of the following:  

• If your child met the criteria (an IAAT score at or above the 91st percentile), he or she will be placed in Algebra 1 Honors.
• If your child did not meet the criteria (an IAAT score below the 91st percentile), he or she will continue their advanced mathematics coursework and be placed in Mathematics 7 Honors.  

*** If your child qualified for Algebra 1 Honors but you would prefer a Mathematics 7 Honors placement, please notify your child’s middle school during the summer to let them know your preference so a change in course placement can be made.

All students who qualify for Algebra I Honors are expected to complete an Algebra I Honors Preparation Module.  You will receive details from your Middle School.

Sincerely,

Principal

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