MIDDLE SCHOOL ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS

Middle School English Language Arts Placement Guidance

When we place students in middle school English classes, we look at many things to understand the whole student. Our goal is to make sure every student has access to grade-level learning and the right level of challenge.

Being identified as Highly Capable is not required to be placed in Honors English Language Arts (ELA).

Teachers and school teams may consider several things when deciding on placement:

  • How the student shows understanding, thinking skills, and depth of learning during class

  • Results from this year’s winter reading and writing assessments or interim assessments

  • Results from classroom assignments and tests

  • Whether the student is enrolled in AVID, which provides extra support that may help students succeed in Honors classes

  • Family input and support for the placement

  • Results from the previous year’s state ELA test (SBA)

     

Understanding State Testing Score Levels

  • Level 1: The student showed skills below grade level.

  • Level 2: The student showed basic grade-level skills.

  • Level 3: The student showed strong grade-level skills and is on track for college-level learning.

  • Level 4: The student showed advanced grade-level skills.

     

State test scores can help provide information, but they are not the main factor when deciding a student’s placement.

Contact

Rose Nelson
6-12 English language arts curriculum specialist
360-313-1020
Email

Courtney McEwan
K-5 English language arts curriculum specialist
360-313-1020
Email