October 11, 2018

Dear Parent,

It is time to register your child for the coming school year. A significant part of this process is determining which math courses are appropriate for your child’s interests and abilities. Based on your child’s achievement inmathematics, your child’s current math teacher and school counselor feel that he or she may benefit from the Math Substitution option.

Under the Future Ready Core graduation requirements adopted by the North Carolina State Board of Education, students must successfully complete four math courses: Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and a fourth mathematics course beyond Algebra II that is aligned with the student’s post-graduation plans. However, the State Board of Education will allow certain students to substitute other courses for two of those math credits. The math substitution option was developed as an alternative for students who have repeatedly demonstrated significant difficulty in mastering mathematical concepts. If a student is approved for the Math Substitution option, he/she must complete Algebra I and Geometry and may substitute two other math courses approved by Wake County Public School System for his/her other two math credits. The student would still receive a high school diploma; however, he/she will not meet the entrance requirements for the UNC System of colleges and universities. A student who chooses the Math Substitution option would be required to attend a community college or technical school in order to earn the necessary credits to transfer to a UNC-System college or university.

Your child’s teacher and school counselor will be in contact with you regarding the Math Substitution process. Your input regarding the most appropriate sequence of math courses for your child is very important.

Sincerely,

______

Principal

Wake County Public School System

Parental Statement of Understanding for the Math Substitution Option

It is important for a student and his/her parents or guardians to have a clear understanding of the expectations and requirement in order to earn a high school diploma using the Math Substitution Option. Please read and initial each statement after your child’s teacher and/or counselor explains it to you. Your initials indicate that you understand the statement.

______/ I understand that it is important to participate in my child’s registration planning and selection of courses.
______/ I understand that my child must pass four math courses in order to graduate.
______/ I understand that if my child does not use the Math Substitution option, he/she must pass Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and a fourth math beyond Algebra II in order to graduate.
______/ I understand that if my child uses the Math Substitution option, he/she must pass Algebra I, Geometry (or Algebra II), and two other math courses approved for substitution by the Wake County Public School System in order to graduate.
______/ I understand that the Math Substitution option is not appropriate for my child if his/her goal is to attend a UNC-System college or university directly after graduation. I also understand that there are some four-year colleges that will accept a student who does not have credit for Algebra II and a fourth math beyond Algebra II.
______/ I understand that my child will be able to attend a community college or technical school directly after graduation using the Math Substitution option, where he or she may earn the credits needed to transfer to a UNC-System or other four-year college or university.
______/ I understand that my child will receive a high school diploma if he/she successfully completes the four math courses laid out in his/her Math Substitution plan.
______/ I understand that if my child does not complete the four math courses laid out in his/her Math Substitution plan, he/she will not receive a high school diploma.
______/ I understand that I may choose at any time to discontinue the Math Substitution option, placing my child back into the Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, and a fourth math beyond Algebra II course sequence.
______/ I understand that by signing below, I am giving my consent for my child, ______to use the Math Substitution option.
Child’s name
Parent/Guardian Signature / Date
Student Signature / Date
Administrator’s Signature / Date
Math Teacher’s Signature / Date
Counselor’s Signature / Date
Special Education Teacher’s Signature (if applicable) / Date