Middle School Advanced Mathematics Program FAQ

Any student who scores in the top 40% statewide on the STAAR Grade 5 Math Assessment or places in the top 40% under a local measure based upon demonstrated proficiency must be automatically enrolled in a middle school advanced mathematics program.

The requirement to automatically enroll students who perform in the top 40% on the Grade 5 Mathematics STAAR exam was established by Senate Bill (SB) 2124, 88th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2023.

Districts and open-enrollment charter schools must begin implementing their Middle School Advanced Math programs no later than the 2024–2025 school year.

The middle school advanced mathematics program does not specify a process for students who take Algebra 1 in grade 7. LEAs are permitted to provide opportunities for students to advance beyond the state requirements. Please note that districts must provide instruction and students must demonstrate proficiency in all the TEKS for grades 6-8 mathematics prior to enrolling in Algebra 1.

TEA has sample letters that may be downloaded and adapted to meet local needs. Samples can be found in the resources section of the Middle School Advanced Mathematics webpage.

Yes, it is a district decision whether the district uses traditional mail or email to communicate automatic enrollment.

Yes. If students meet the automatic enrollment criteria for Grade 5 Math STAAR or if they meet the automatic enrollment criteria for a local measure, they must be automatically enrolled in the Middle School Advanced Mathematics Program. 

Yes. If students meet the automatic enrollment criteria for grade 5 math STAAR or if they meet the automatic enrollment criteria for a local measure, they must be automatically enrolled.

No.  If students meet the automatic enrollment criteria for Grade 5 Math STAAR or if they meet the automatic enrollment criteria for a local measure, they must be automatically enrolled in the Middle School Advanced Mathematics Program.

No. The intent is for students who demonstrate strong mathematical proficiency in grade 5 coursework to have the opportunity to take Algebra I in grade 8.

Yes. Legislation states that students who perform in the 60th percentile on grade 5 math STAAR or in the top 40% on a local measure must be automatically enrolled in an advanced mathematics course in grade 6. Districts and open enrollment charter schools have the authority to develop a local policy to expand their program beyond that requirement.

Each district or open enrollment charter school shall determine what data they decide is appropriate to place students into an advanced academic course in addition to Grade 5 STAAR Math results.

The legislation refers to the top 40% on STAAR and the commissioner’s rules refer to the 60th percentile on STAAR. Both terms refer to the same group of students. TEA will provide the scale score which indicates that a student is in the 60th percentile annually. This scale score is inclusive of both English and Spanish language assessments.

No. The intent is for students who demonstrate strong mathematical proficiency in grade 5 mathematics coursework to have the opportunity to take Algebra I in grade 8.

No. The LEA is responsible for ensuring that all students who qualify for automatic enrollment in a Middle School Advanced Mathematics Program have the opportunity to participate, regardless of whether or not they are available to attend classes in the summer.

19 Texas Administrative Code §74.2101 states, “A local measure shall be used to determine enrollment of Grade 6 students for whom there are no results on the state Grade 5 mathematics assessment.” The format of the local measure is a local decision.

Students whose scores place them in the top 40% of scores (60th percentile) across the state shall be automatically enrolled in a grade 6 advanced mathematics program.

19 Texas Administrative Code §74.2101 is focused on students entering sixth grade and not intended as guidance for students entering seventh or eighth grade. Districts and charter schools have the authority to develop a local policy to address student advancement in later grade levels.

Students whose scores place them in the 60th percentile across the state on the grade 5 math STAAR must be automatically enrolled in an advanced mathematics course in grade 6.

19 Texas Administrative Code §74.2101 states that students who are in the top 40% on a local measure that includes the student's Grade 5 class ranking or a demonstrated proficiency in the student's Grade 5 mathematics coursework shall be enrolled in a middle school advanced mathematics program. The criteria for that local measure should be developed by the district or open-enrollment charter.

Each district or open-enrollment charter school must determine how they should best measure student proficiency. The legislation states that the local measure must be either fifth grade class ranking (based on math coursework) or some other form of demonstrated proficiency. Some examples from districts include a summative assessment, the average of unit assessments over the year, or a performance-based portfolio of student work.

The district or open-enrollment charter school must determine the most appropriate method for establishing whether students have demonstrated proficiency in grade 5 math standards. The methodology used is a local decision.

A student in grades 3–8 who is receiving instruction above grade level must take STAAR for the grade/subject in which he or she is receiving above-grade instruction if an assessment exists. However, if a student in grades 3–8 is receiving above-grade instruction in a subject across multiple grade levels, district personnel should carefully evaluate the content of the instruction as it relates to the STAAR grade-level assessments to ensure the student is provided the best opportunity to demonstrate his or her understanding of the grade-level content. For example, if a student who is enrolled in grade 6 is receiving instruction in all the grade 6 and some grade 7 mathematics TEKS, the student should take the STAAR grade 6 mathematics assessment. It would not be appropriate to administer the grade 7 math assessment to this student since the student has not been given the opportunity to learn all the grade 7 mathematics TEKS.

A student in grades 3–8 who is receiving instruction in a high school course, must take the corresponding STAAR EOC assessment in place of the grade-level assessment in that content area if an assessment exists. For example, a student enrolled in grade 8 who is receiving instruction in Algebra I should take the STAAR Algebra I assessment.  

A student in grades 3–8 who is receiving instruction in a high school math course that does not have a corresponding STAAR EOC assessment, must take his or her grade-level STAAR assessment to fulfill the federal requirement that students be assessed annually in grades 3–8 in mathematics since there is not a STAAR EOC assessment that aligns with the student’s instruction. For example, a student enrolled in grade 8 who is receiving instruction in geometry must take the STAAR grade 8 mathematics assessment. 

For further questions regarding the STAAR Assessment, please visit the Student Assessment Help Desk.

Students in grades 3–8 are required to be tested annually in mathematics to fulfill federal and state testing requirements. STAAR grades 3–8 assessments are administered each spring. Students in grades 3–8 are required to take their enrolled grade level math test (at the time of the spring administration) unless they are receiving accelerated instruction and meet one of the conditions in question number one of this section. If an LEA offers an intensive summer program, the students would not take the STAAR grade 6 mathematics test and will take the grade 7 math test in the spring.

Yes. STAAR results are available in late May and early June each year. See the Assessment Calendar of Events for the details. 

Because these students are receiving accelerated instruction in all the Grade 7 Math TEKS, the students must take the higher level (i.e., grade 7) STAAR mathematics assessment.

Districts should review all STAAR grade 5 mathematics results, including online and paper forms with and without embedded supports, large-print, and braille formats, as well as Spanish versions with and without embedded supports. 

Yes. Students who take the Algebra 1 EOC must take the ACT or the SAT in high school. 

There will be no immediate impact to accountability directly due to the new program. The impact will be dependent on the change in numbers and performance at an individual campus or district. A middle school may have more of their accountability rating based on an EOC exam, rather than the grade level STAAR. It will depend on the student’s performance and how it impacts campus results. A high school may have more of their accountability rating based on accelerated testers SAT/ACT score results. Again, it will depend on the student’s performance how it impacts campus results. In preparation for the next five-year accountability refresh, we will receive and consider public comments and feedback on any changes to the accountability system as a result of the advanced math program.

For further questions regarding the Accountability, please email performance.reporting@tea.texas.gov.

Students who take STAAR assessments and have skipped grade level(s) between prior year and current year have a growth score calculated (e.g., Grade 6 mathematics -> Grade 8 mathematics will be measured for growth)
(Slide 4 June 2023 ESSA Appendix E)

The Inclusion of SAT/ACT Results for Accelerated Testers is provided starting on Page 14 of the 2024 Accountability Manual. Throughout the manual are references to whether SAT/ACT results for accelerated testers are or are not included.

It depends upon the content of the course. For example, if the advanced 6th grade course includes all of grade 6 and part of grade 7, then per 19 Texas Administrative Code §231.61, the teacher should hold a certificate that allows them to teach both grades 6 and 7.

Lists of certificates can be found in 19 Texas Administrative Code §231.61 and the Teacher Assignment Chart.

For further questions regarding educator certifications, please visit their help desk.

The certificates can be found in 19 Texas Administrative Code §231.61 or the Teacher Assignment Chart. Any K – 8 that states “certificate may teach Algebra I at the middle school level for high school graduation credit” or certificates that permits teaching high school courses, i. e. 7 – 12 or 8 – 12 may teach Algebra I in grade 8.

No. A teacher must have a certification that specifies a specialization in math to teach Algebra I. (see response to answer #2 of this section).

This information may also be found in the Teacher Assignment Chart.

To be placed in an assignment as teacher of record, an individual must hold the appropriate certification.  Reference 19 Texas Administrative Code §231, Subchapter A. Criteria for Assignment of Public School Personnel.

This information may also be found in the Teacher Assignment Chart.

No, the teacher must be certified to teach both courses. Per 19 Texas Administrative Code §231.61, teachers must hold a certificate that allows them to teach both grades 6 and 7, i. .e has 4 – 8 or 1 – 8 or something similar in the certificate title.

This information may also be found in the Teacher Assignment Chart.

If students who have been identified as gifted/talented are advanced through this program, then the requirements as listed in the Texas State Plan for the Education of Gifted/Talented Students (English | Spanish) apply. 

For further questions regarding gifted and talented students, please email gted@tea.texas.gov.

If a LEA thinks it is best to remove a student from the advanced mathematics program, they must do so with written permission from the student’s parent or guardian.

Yes, it is under the authority of the parent or guardian as listed in Texas Education Code §28.029(c).

Districts and open-enrollment charter schools must determine and communicate their timelines for parental opt out options. According to 19 Texas Administrative Code §74.2101, the district or open-enrollment charter school must provide written notification to parents or guardians no later than 14 days before the first day of instruction. This notification must include the process for a parent or guardian to opt their child out and any associated deadlines.

Pursuant to Texas Education Code §26.003, parents may request that their child be permitted to attend a class for credit above the student’s grade level.