Acceleration starts in 3rd grade. Accelerated students should receive daily replacement math at their level, not periodic enrichment. Possibilities include:

• Attending a higher-level math class within the student’s school. 

• Participating in ALEKS or another online software program within the current classroom. Students should still join the class for mathematical discourse, math games, and thinking tasks to deepen their understanding and be a part of a mathematical community.

Rochester Public Schools universally screens all students in grades 2 and 4 using the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) and FastBridge data. Each spring, students with 140+ Quantitative Non-Verbal scores can opt to test to potentially qualify for math acceleration for the following year. CogAT and FastBridge scores can be found in Skyward under Report Cards & Student Portfolio → Report Test History.

• Qualification criteria: Students need to score 80% or higher in order to pass the assessment. Students can only take the assessment one time per math course.

• What does the test cover? The test covers MN K-12 Academic Standards in Math that correspond to the level of math the student is attempting to test out of.

Any K-5 student who shows a high interest or passion for math, students who have teacher recommendations based on strengths or need, or parent/student requests for more challenge can contact the district Elementary Advanced Math Specialist to discuss options or submit a request.

Students have the opportunity to take an accelerated math class in 6th grade through the Rochester Accelerated Math Program (RAMP).

Some students who are very advanced in math, starting in the spring of grade 5, might be interested in taking the UMTYMP Algebra Qualifying Exam to test into the University of Minnesota’s Talented Youth in Mathematics Program. Visit the Math Center for Educational Program's website.

Middle School Math Acceleration Guide