SFUSD Math Validation Test

9th graders in SFUSD are automatically placed into SFUSD’s 9th grade math course, CCSS Algebra 1. However, some students have taken an Algebra 1 course outside of SFUSD before 9th grade.

If your child will be entering 9th grade and has completed, or is in the process of completing, a full-year Algebra 1 course either in their middle school or at an accredited high school or college, and they wish to be considered for placement into CCSS Geometry in 9th grade, they are eligible to take the Math Validation Test (MVT). ​This test is not required. The MVT will be administered twice during 2017: April 29, 2017 and August 26, 2017. Students who do not pass the MVT on April 29 will be eligible to retake it on August 26. 

Please register for the August 26, 2017, administration by August 11, 2017.
​To register for the 2017 MVT, click here.

You will need to provide two documents in order to complete your registration for the MVT. 
  1. A copy of your transcript or report card that shows your first semester Algebra 1 grades.
  2. Documentation that shows the content of your math course, such as:
  • For a course taken at your middle school, either a course syllabus that includes the course title, teacher's name, and year of the course, or the SFUSD MVT Coursework Verification Form.
To download the SFUSD MVT Coursework Verification Form, click here. 
  • For an online course, a description of the course, including the title, institution, and list of topics covered.
Please email a scan of the documents to validationexam@sfusd.edu.
Letters are available in multiple languages for families about the SFUSD Math Validation Test.
The SFUSD course sequence for math provides a focused, coherent, and rigorous learning experience that balances mathematical content knowledge with mathematical practices. In this course sequence, students take CCSS Algebra 1 in 9th grade and CCSS Geometry in 10th grade. In 11th grade, students choose to take either CCSS Algebra 2 or a compression course, CCSS Algebra 2 + Precalculus, that will prepare them for AP Calculus in 12th grade. Go here for more information about our course sequence.

In keeping with California Senate Bill 359, the SFUSD Board of Education has passed Board Policy 6146.1 (Math Placement Policy), which describes the process by which students will be placed in their 9th grade math class. 

​There are two primary course alternatives:
  1. Incoming 9th graders who have completed a Common Core State Standards (CCSS) Math 8 course will be placed in CCSS Algebra 1.
  2. Incoming 9th graders who have completed coursework from an accredited school covering the subject matter taught in CCSS Math 8 and CCSS Algebra 1 and have received grades of C or higher will be eligible to take CCSS Geometry in 9th grade if they are able to pass the SFUSD Math Validation Test (MVT). The coursework included in those classes can be found in the Math Placement Policy. The CCSS Algebra 1 class taken must meet UC's a–g requirements for Algebra 1 in order for a student to be eligible to take the MVT. 

For information about the 2016 SFUSD Math Validation Test (MVT), including released items, please go here.

For information about the 2015 Algebra 1 Validation Exam, including released items, please go here.

For more information about the validity and reliability of the SFUSD MVT/Validation Exam, please go here. 

If you have any questions, please contact validationexam@sfusd.edu.