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Board hears new approach to 7th‑grade math: delay tracking, push 8th‑grade content earlier
Summary
Scott Hutchings told trustees Castleberry ISD will place more 6th‑ and 7th‑grade students on an algebra‑on‑track pathway and delay final tracking decisions until 7th grade; he cited substantial unit‑level gains after implementing the change and argued the move will preserve opportunities for students to reach Algebra I by 8th grade.
Scott Hutchings, lead secondary coordinator, told the board that state pressure to accelerate students into honors tracks prompted Castleberry to try a different model: give students longer to qualify for honors and expose more 6th–7th graders to 8th‑grade content. "The performance objective we're discussing tonight is the percentage of 7th and 8th grade students that score meets on the STAR math will be maintained at 35%," Hutchings said, then described how the district shifted instruction and supports to protect students who need more time to demonstrate readiness.
Hutchings showed unit‑level gains where on‑level 7th‑grade students taught 8th‑grade content jumped from 27% meets to 59% in one unit and other unit increases from 37% to 54%. He said the change enables daily PLC collaboration between 7th and 8th grade teams, coaching for first‑year teachers, and targeted interventions if students do not respond to acceleration.
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