1. Math-Pensity℠
Recommendations
A Data Systems Solution Product
There is a Better Way
DSS, Inc. 2015

2. We Can Place Students in Their Most
Beneficial Math Setting
■ Placing all grade 8 students in algebra I, regardless of their preparation, sets up
many students to fail (Williams et al., 2011)
■ The consequences of misplacement are most pronounced for students with
weaknesses in key foundational areas that support algebra readiness, which
frequently translates into difficulty reaching proficiency in higher level math in
high school (Finkelstein et al., 2012).
DSS, Inc. 2015

3. Our Interests
■ A customized, flexible model that can be used to place students into fall
grade levels, and for new students to our district
■ Utilization of existing accurate assessment data in a manner that is not
too labor intensive to implement or manage
■ Research based philosophy and talking points so we can plainly speak
to our staff and parents about the work at hand
■ Consistency district-wide to allow all of our students to receive not only
an equal assessment, but also equal access to courses - SB 359
■ In the end, an instrument that has a high probability of success,
combined with ease of use, will assist in recommending the proper
math course for each student
DSS, Inc. 2015

4. Identifying Student Ability
■ What are the Most Effective Ways To Identify Which
Students Are Most Likely To Succeed In Algebra I; or
Other Courses?
■ Over the past decade most districts rely on teacher recommendations and course
grades (Bitter & O’Day, 2010), with standardized math test scores, student/parent
preferences, and counselor recommendations also factoring into the decision (Hallinan,
2003).
■ “Increasingly, school systems do not use fixed criteria to assign students to particular
course levels. Teacher and counselor track-placement recommendations include, in
addition to test scores and grades, highly subjective judgments about students’
personalities, behavior and motivation” (Oakes, Muir, & Joseph, 2000, p. 16).
■ We have found that maturity is a large factor as well. Maturity in math can be
connected to inquiry skills, organizational skills, peer support or student teams, and
persistence (per AVID elements; Slavin et.al. 2009; and Duckworth).
■ Calibrated teacher perception of math propensity may be more accurate than course
grades, and certainly improves student placement.
DSS, Inc. 2015

5. What to Use… (Huang, Snipes, Finkelstein, 2014).
■ ‘Proficient’ or ‘Advanced’ 6th grade math CST about 50 % accurate
■ A Math SS of 367 or higher on 6th Grade CST improves to 75%
accurate
■ 7th grade MDTP students who achieve mastery is 75 %
■ Combining the 2nd and 3rd bullet raise success from 75% to 78%
■ Prediction accuracy reaches 78% using grade 7 CST scale scores with
MDTP. However, grade 7 scale scores are typically not available
■ Discrepant scores on the MDTP 7th grade test and the 6th grade CST
drop course recommendation accuracy rates in 8th grade Algebra 1
from 78% to ~ 50%
DSS, Inc. 2015

6. Choose the Straight Data Model or
the Math-Pensity Matrix
1. We evaluate your electronic state data and the
appropriate MDTP assessment to develop math
course recommendations for all students achieving
better than 75% accuracy
OR
2. We manipulate the data above and add the
Math-Pensity Matrix, or calibrated teacher insight,
to develop math course recommendations for all
students better than 90% accurate
Recent research states that more than 44% of all students will
retake Algebra 1 due to poor placement -SB 359
DSS, Inc. 2015
Patent Pending, 12/2015

7. Math-Pensity Matrix℠
Student Propensity for Success
DSS, Inc. 2015
Patent Pending, 12/2015

8. Calibrated Teacher Recommendations
Rather than Grades
DSS, Inc. 2015
Patent Pending, 12/2015

9. Math Course Recommendations
-Based on Multiple Measures and Research Based Criteria
DSS, Inc. 2015
Patent Pending, 12/2015

10. 2015/16 Outcome - Real Kids
Almost 3 thousand students placed using the
Math-Pensity beta system last year in a high
performing suburban district.
■6th grade - ~99% accuracy
■ no moves/ of 226 recommendations
■ no moves/ of 226 recommendations
■ no moves / of 204 recommendations
■7th grade - ~96% accuracy
■ 4 moved to grade level from Acc, 1 moved to Acc from grade level, 2 moved down to Support/ of 232 recommendations
■ 8 moved to grade level from Acc / of 250 recommended
■ 5 dropped from Alg, 6 dropped from ⅞ / of 216 recommendations
■8th grade - ~97% accuracy
■ 6 dropped from Alg on their own/ of 214 recommendations
■ 1 moved to grade level from Acc, 1 moved to Acc from grade level/ of 230 recommendations
■ 6 dropped from Alg, 2 moved up to Alg;both struggling, 1 moved to Alg and successful/ of 199 recommendations
■9th grade - ~95% accuracy -Watching...
DSS, Inc. 2015

11. Next, Heavy Lifting
How to begin…..
■ Identity your district’s data; electronic indicators that are readily available now
■ Implement the appropriate MDTP this spring
■ Train the Trainers - Administration and staff must understand the process
■ Work with the Board, administration, staff, and parents to acknowledge that
Math-Pensity will save time, increase placement accuracy for students,
improve equity and access, and develop custom master schedules year to year
■ Math-Pensity directly supports your LCAP -We have a goal for that!
■ Be Aware - This is a Change Process!
DSS, Inc. 2015

12. When Interested…
Call Tom Bruce @ 626.890.0918
or send an email to,
tbruce.admin@datasuccess.net
Beta version and pricing for both the Straight
Data or Math-Pensity Placement Systems are
available now for review.