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Math Path D Placement Test

What is Path D for Math?

Path D provides an additional acceleration option for students ready to skip Middle School Math and start Algebra 1. Historically, approximately 1.5% of ISD students qualify for Path D each year.

Who is eligible to test for Path D?

Interested incoming 6th-grade students can test for path D. All MERLIN 5th graders are tested in their 5th-grade class.

Readiness Criteria

  • Since Math 1-2 is taught in the 5th-grade MERLIN program, 5th-grade MERLIN students will take the Algebra 1 Readiness Assessment in their classrooms each spring.
  • Non-MERLIN students interested in Path D can take the Algebra 1 Readiness Assessment to qualify for Path D. Testing will take place in the spring. 
  • Details will be posted in the district bulletins and in Elementary School bulletins. 

What are the criteria to qualify for Path D?

  • Path D is not a self-select option in the Issaquah School District.
  • Eligible students must demonstrate sufficient mastery of foundational pre-algebra concepts and skills on a district-administered assessment.
  • Once a student has qualified for Path D, parents make the final determination of whether or not to accept that placement. During middle school registration, further information will be provided to families of students who qualify for Path D to help inform them of this decision.

Is Path D right for your student?

There are several factors for you to consider as you make this decision.

  • Learning loss: Skipping multiple math courses is not recommended for most students. Mathematical skills and thinking take time and repeated practice to develop. Furthermore, the emergency shift to remote learning in March 2020 and continued adjustments in response to COVID-19 in 2020-21 negatively impacted learning for many students. While teachers will address learning loss for students on standard math pathways, they cannot be expected to provide the same support for the very small number of Path D students.
  • Pass rate: Historically, only about 1.5% of students pass the Path D placement test. The testing is limited to 90 minutes to ensure that students know the material and have procedural fluency.
  • Social considerations: As an 8th grader, your student will be placed in an Algebra 2 classroom with 9th – 12th graders. There are likely to be no other 8th graders in the class. This could cause some degree of social discomfort.
  • Math graduation requirements: District Policy requires three years of High School math taken in grades 9-12. A student’s middle school grades in Algebra 1, Geometry, and Algebra 2 do not qualify for the three years of high school math graduation requirement.
  • Transportation to high school in 8th grade: Successful completion of Algebra 1 and Geometry at the middle school means you must provide transportation to the nearest high school for Algebra 2 for the entire 8th-grade year.
  • Course schedule in 8th grade: Taking Algebra 2 during the 8th grade year will affect your child’s middle school course schedule. ISD high schools do not follow the same bell schedule as the middle schools. On some days, classes meet for up to 2 hours, and on other days, they do not meet at all. You will need to work with the middle school counselor to coordinate schedules to minimize the impact on your child’s other courses at the middle school. 
  • Implications for high school coursework: By taking Math 2-3 in 6th grade, your child is already on a highly accelerated path that would allow them to reach the highest level of math that we offer in our high schools. Colleges do not like students to opt out of math in their senior year, so you should consider whether this extra acceleration is a benefit.
    • Skyline High School coursework: If your child is planning to pursue an International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma at Skyline High School, they will have to find an alternate math course (Statistics is recommended) in 9th grade as students are not allowed to enter the IB math pathway until grade 10.
Year Course following Path D Placement
6th Algebra 1
7th Geometry
8th Algebra 2 (at the local High School)
9th Pre-Calculus (IHS or LHS) or Statistics (SHS)
10th Calculus (IHS or LHS) or begin IB Math (SHS)
11th Additional Math
12th    Additional Math

 

Information on signing up for Path D will be sent via the District Weekly Bulletin and updated here. Typically, testing takes place in the spring.

Sign-ups for the Algebra 1 Placement Test for the 2025-2026 school year are open from February 27th to May 5th. No further sign-ups will be accepted.

The Algebra 1 Placement test will be offered on the following dates at the administration building:

  • Wednesday, May 14th (2:30–4:30 p.m.)
  • Monday, May 19th (5–7 p.m.)
  • Tuesday, May 27th (5–7 p.m.)

Interested students can sign up here: https://forms.office.com/r/E1CSUVcEM1