Middle school students shall receive instruction in the following subjects:
a) Mathematics
(1) Each middle school student should earn three units in middle school mathematics which may include courses for high school credit. Each middle school will offer accelerated options for students including Advanced Mathematics, Algebra 1, and Algebra 1 Honors, with some offering Geometry Honors for high school credit.
(2) Middle grades students enrolled in high school Algebra 1 or equivalent courses must take and pass the statewide standardized End-of-Course (EOC) exam to qualify for a standard high school diploma. The Algebra 1 statewide EOC exam will constitute 30% of the student’s final course grade. Students will not take the grade level Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) and will only take the EOC exam associated with high school credit-bearing mathematics courses. However, if the middle grades student does not pass the EOC exam in middle school, the student will have multiple opportunities in high school to retake the course and/or EOC exam.
Student Progression Plan 2015-2016 Page 40 of 110 Students who do not pass the EOC exam and pass the Algebra 1 or equivalent course meet promotion criteria.
(3) Beginning in 2012-2013, middle grades students enrolled in high school geometry or equivalent course must take the statewide, standardized EOC exam, which constitutes 30% of the student’s final course grade, and earn a passing grade in the course. In order to meet middle school promotional criteria and earn high school credit, the student must pass the course but is not required to pass the EOC exam. Students who select the Scholar’s diploma pathway must earn a Level 3 or above on the Geometry EOC exam.
(4) The ability of a student to pass certain state assessments associated with high school credits may impact the diploma designation they are eligible for upon graduation. It is recommended that parents fully familiarize themselves with information regarding diploma designations in the SECONDARY EDUCATION: HIGH SCHOOL section of this Student Progression Plan.
b) English Language Arts (ELA)
Each middle school student should earn three units in middle grades or higher courses in ELA which may include courses earning high school credit. ELA courses include experiences in reading, writing, speaking, listening, and language.
c) Science
(1) Each middle school student should earn three units in middle grades or higher courses in science including instruction in Life Science, Earth Science, and Physical Science. Some schools may offer high school credit earning courses in Biology 1 and Physical Science.
(2) Beginning in the 2013-2014 school year, middle grades students enrolled in Biology 1 must take the Biology EOC exam, which constitutes 30% of the student’s final course grade. High school credit will be determined by the final grade earned in the course. Students who select the Scholar’s diploma pathway must earn a Level 3 or above on the Biology EOC exam.
d) Social Studies
(1) Each middle school student should earn three units in middle grades or higher courses in social studies which shall include the study of government, economics, geography, and history (including World, United States and Florida History).
(2) Beginning with students entering 6th grade in the 2012-2013 school year, one of these courses must be at least a one-semester civics education course that includes roles and responsibilities of federal, state, and local governments; the structures and functions of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government; and the meaning and significance of historical documents such as the Article of Confederation, the Declaration of Independence, and the Constitution of the United States. Beginning in the 2013-2014 school year, middle grades students enrolled in civics must
Student Progression Plan 2015-2016 Page 41 of 110 take the Civics EOC exam, which constitutes 30% of the student’s final course grade.
e) Career and Education Planning (FloridaShines)
Each middle school student should complete a career and education planning course in the 8th grade utilizing the M/J U.S. History and Career Planning 2100015.
Portions of this course are Internet-based, customizable to each student, and include research-based assessments to assist students in determining educational and career options and goals. In addition, the course results in a completed, personalized academic and career plan for the student, emphasizes the importance of entrepreneurship skills, informs students about diploma options, and emphasizes technology or the application of technology in career fields.
Beginning in the 2014-2015 school year, the course must include information from the Department of Economic Opportunity’s economic security report. [§
1003.4156, Fla. Stat. (2015)]
f) Physical Education (PE)
(1) Each middle school student must have the equivalent of one class period per day of PE for one semester of each year. This is required for students enrolled in grades 6-8. Students enrolled in such instruction shall be reported through the periodic student membership surveys, and records of such enrollment shall be audited pursuant to § 1010.305, Fla. Stat. (2015).
(2) The requirement in § 1003.455, Fla. Stat. (2015) shall be waived for a student who meets one of the following criteria:
(a) The student is enrolled or required to enroll in a remedial course.
The parent requests, in writing by completing the waiver request form and submitting to the principal, that the student enroll in another enrichment or elective course.
The parent indicates, in writing by completing the waiver request form and submitting to the principal, that the student is participating in physical activities outside the school day which are equal to or in excess of the mandated requirement.
Students who waive the PE requirement will be enrolled in an enrichment or elective course offered by the school. Placement will be made at the discretion of the principal and on a space-available basis.
Parents will be advised of these options before scheduling the student to participate in PE. This type of exception must be renewed annually.
7. Assessments
The primary purpose of the student assessment program is to provide information needed to improve the performance of public schools. Assessment data is used to evaluate instructional effectiveness, enhance the learning gains of all students, and to
Student Progression Plan 2015-2016 Page 42 of 110 inform parents of the educational progress of their child(ren). [§ 1008.22, Fla. Stat.
(2015)]
a) Statewide Assessments
(1) Each student must participate in the statewide assessment tests required by § 1008.22, Fla. Stat. (2015). Each student who does not meet specific levels of performance as determined by the district school board in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics for each grade level, or who does not meet specific levels of performance as determined by the commissioner of education on statewide assessments at selected grade levels, must be provided with additional diagnostic assessments to determine the nature of the student’s difficulty and areas of academic need. [§ 1008.25, Fla. Stat. (2015)]
(2) Middle grades students enrolled in high school Algebra 1 or equivalent courses must take and pass the statewide standardized End-of-Course (EOC) exam to qualify for a standard high school diploma. However, if the middle grades student does not pass the EOC exam in middle school, the student will have multiple opportunities in high school to retake the course and/or EOC exam to meet graduation requirements. Students who do not pass the EOC exam and pass the Algebra 1 or equivalent course meet promotion criteria. Students taking high school credit-bearing courses in mathematics will only take the associated EOC exam.
(3) Beginning with students entering grade 6 in the 2012-2013 school year, the 7th grade social studies course will include a one semester civics education course. In addition, beginning with the 2013-2014 school year, each student’s performance on the statewide, standardized EOC exam in civics education must constitute 30% of the student’s final course grade. A student does not have to pass the statewide standardized Biology 1, Algebra 1, geometry, or civics EOC exams to be promoted to high school.
(4) Beginning in 2012-2013, middle grades students enrolled in high school geometry or Biology 1 must take the statewide, standardized EOC exam, which constitutes 30% of the student’s final course grade, and earn a passing grade in the course. In order to meet middle school promotional criteria and earn high school credit, the student must pass the course but is not required to pass the EOC exam.
(5) The ability of a student to pass certain state assessments associated with high school credits may impact the diploma designation they are eligible for upon graduation. It is recommended that parents fully familiarize themselves with information regarding diploma designations on the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) website.
(6) Schools are prohibited from suspending a regular program of curricula to administer practice tests or engage in other test preparation activities for a statewide assessment.
(7) Students with disabilities may be exempted from participation in the state testing programs in accordance with guidelines from the Florida
Student Progression Plan 2015-2016 Page 43 of 110 Department of Education (FLDOE). Accommodations that negate the validity of statewide assessments are not allowed during the administration of the assessment. Students using instructional accommodations in the classroom that are not allowed on statewide assessments may have assessment results waived if the Individual Education Plan (IEP) team determines the assessment cannot accurately measure the student’s abilities. Alternate assessment will be administered to any student with disabilities as specified by the IEP.
b) District Assessments
(1) Each school will administer district-approved assessments for grades 6-8 in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. Courses with state End-of-Course (EOC) exams will also have district-approved assessments. The administration date(s) will appear annually on the District Assessment Calendar.
(2) Common Semester Exams (CSEs): CSEs may be administered for specific courses. The teacher’s syllabus should articulate the use of CSEs.
(3) Focus Assessments: Focus lesson assessments tied to the FCAT 2.0 assessed benchmarks will be administered by each school respective to each individual school’s instructional calendar for science.
(4) Reading Assessments: Middle and high school Level 1 and Level 2 students must be regularly assessed per the MCPS K-12 Comprehensive Research-based Reading Plan unless otherwise required under statute or rule.
(5) For every course assigned to a student that does not have a corresponding state test, a Local End-of-Course Exam (LEOCE) will be administered, which constitutes 20% of the final grade.
c) Other Assessments: Other assessment tools to diagnose and determine student needs may be used.
d) Classroom/Teacher-made Tests: Alternative assessment tools are acceptable and encouraged by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE). Some of these alternatives include, but are not limited to, learning logs and journals, role play activities, portfolios, Venn diagrams or other graphic organizers, student self-ratings, projects, or other performance based assessments.
e) Section 504 students access the same assessments as general education students.
Testing accommodations are authorized when determined appropriate by the 504 committee for any student eligible for Section 504. These accommodations must be allowable by the testing guidelines and documented on the 504 Plan.