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District Information
END OF THE YEAR ATTENDANCE POLICY
Students must be in attendance on the last day of school to guarantee their place in the district for the following school year. When the student returns, if space is available at his or her school, the student will be reinstated. If no space is available, the student will be assigned to another school in the district where space is available. If the student is ill, parents must notify the school of the absence and provide documentation.
When you are making travel plans, please consider the possible ramifications. If you have any questions, please contact Student Assignment at (408) 252-3000, Extension 110.
FREE ADULT SUMMER ENGLISH CLASSES
The Cupertino Union School District’s “Community Based English Tutorial” (CBET) Program is once again sponsoring a four-week summer session of adult English classes. It will be offered at two of our elementary summer school sites: De Vargas and Garden Gate Schools and one middle school site – Miller Middle School. Each class is scheduled from June 23 - July 18, 2008 and will meet daily from 8:30 – 11:30 a.m. The applications for the CBET Program are available at www.cupertino.k12.ca.us. Space is limited, so sign up now. Preference will be given to parents with children in English Language Development programs at their schools. The CBET classes are not mandatory for parents.
The purpose of the CBET Program is to provide free or subsidized programs of adult English language instruction to parents or other members of the community who pledge to provide personal English language tutoring to English learners. Since these classes are for adults only, no childcare will be provided. Proposition 227 provides funding for this program. In accordance with Education Code Section 315 and Title 5 of the California Code of Regulations Section 11305, these funds may be used for direct program services, community notification processes, transportation services, and background checks required of the tutors who volunteer in public schools settings.
MATH CHALLENGE TEST INFO
ALGEBRA & PRE-ALGEBRA CLASSES –
PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED
Lawson Middle School
10401 Vista Drive
Cupertino, CA 95014
August 12, 2008 9:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
August 13, 2008* 9:00 a.m. — 11:30 a.m.
*Only required of students with a 90% passing score on August 12 test
Registration forms will be available in middle school offices the week of April 28. The Challenge Test will be offered prior to the beginning of school to accommodate vacation plans of district families.
PURPOSE:
The goal of the Cupertino Union School District is to place all its students in the highest-level mathematics course for which the students are prepared to succeed. The current placement process at the middle school sites includes multiple assessments and teacher judgments. If your son/daughter is presently a sixth or seventh grader and believes s/he is prepared for a higher level than s/he is recommended to take, s/he must demonstrate this readiness by passing the appropriate challenge test with a score of 90% on both Level I and Level II tests.
The student needs to pass the Pre-Algebra Challenge Test (Level I and II) to enroll in an Algebra class in the fall. Similarly, the student needs to pass the Algebra Challenge Test (Level I and II) to enroll in a Geometry class in the fall. Students considering taking a challenge test are required to discuss their choice with their teacher and/or counselor before signing up for a challenge test. The signature of the student’s current math teacher or counselor is required for the registration to be accepted
IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
- The Challenge Tests are not designed to be general placement tests.
- The Challenge Tests are only appropriate for a small number of advanced students who feel their placement is incorrect.
- Past summer test results show that very few students qualify to "skip" an entire middle school math course.
- Although some students take summer courses in Pre-Algebra and Algebra, these four- or six- week courses seldom result in a student successfully challenging an entire year-long middle school mathematics course. Such summer classes are not a substitute for successfully completing the challenge test.
- PLEASE consider carefully whether or not such a rigorous testing experience is appropriate for your student
- Incoming Grade 7 students may not challenge the Algebra class to take Geometry in the fall.
PRE-REGISTRATION FOR THE CHALLENGE TESTS IS REQUIRED
The challenge test dates for Levels I and II have been set for August 12 (Level I) and August 13, 2008, (Level II) at Lawson Middle School, located at 10401 Vista Drive, Cupertino. Students should pick up a copy of the registration form from their middle school office. Additional information is on the registration form. All registration forms are due at the district office by 5 p.m., June 5, 2008. No exceptions will be made.
Due to district budget constraints, the test will be on a fee basis. Parents will be asked to pay a non-refundable fee of $20 per student to take the challenge test. In case of financial hardship, please contact Cheryl Anderson at 252-3000, Extension 164, before you send in your application.
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