This article explains how your child moves through each subject in TimeBack: where they start, how they advance, and when each subject becomes available.
How progression works
Every subject starts with placement. Your child's first test grade is set by their MAP screener. These tests find the right level for your child.
Based on the results, your child moves up to the next grade, placed into either the main (base) course for their grade or a Foundation Rebuilding (hole-filling) course if there are skills to shore up first.
After finishing a course, your child takes a mastery test. Passing (90% or higher) moves them up to the next grade. Below that, they get Foundation Rebuilding and then retest at the same grade.
For more on Foundation Rebuilding, see “Mapping and Rebuilding.”
When each subject unlocks
Math, Language, Reading and Fast Math are available from day one. The other subjects unlock as your child meets certain milestones:
Subject | When it unlocks | Starts at |
Math | Available from day one | Kindergarten |
Language | Available from day one | Kindergarten |
Reading | Available from day one | Kindergarten |
Fast Math | Available from day one (begins with a screener) | Kindergarten |
Science | After passing the G2 Math, Reading, and Language tests, being enrolled in G3 Fast Math, and reaching age grade 2+ | Grade 3 |
Vocabulary | After passing a G2 Reading test and reaching age grade 2+ | Grade 3 |
Writing | After mastering Grade 3 Language, Writing unlocks automatically | Grade 3 |
How each subject flows
Here's the path a student typically follows in each subject before moving up a grade. The apps can change as we improve the program, but the shape stays the same: work the course(s), then pass the mastery test to advance.
Math
Grade | Path to the next grade |
K–1 | Zearn → Pass Math test → Next grade |
2 | Zearn → Math Cakes → Pass Math test → Next grade |
3-4 | Alpha Math → Pass Math test → Next grade |
5-8 | Math Academy → TimeBack Math → Pass Math test → Next grade |
9-12 | Math Academy → Pass Math test → Next grade |
Reading
Grade | Path to the next grade |
K | AlphaPhonics → Mastery Test → NWF test → Next grade |
1 | AlphaPhonics → Mastery Test → NWF test → Oral Reading Fluency Test → Next grade |
2 | AlphaPhonics → Mastery Test → Oral Reading Fluency Test → Next grade |
3–8 | Reading Primer (MobyMax) → AlphaRead → Pass Reading test → Next grade |
9-12 | AlphaRead → Pass Reading test → Next grade |
Reading Tests
Nonsense Word Fluency (NWF) tests measure decoding speed (how quickly a student can turn letters into sounds).
Oral Reading Fluency (ORF) tests measure reading fluency (how fast a student can read a grade-appropriate text).
Language
Grade | Path to the next grade |
K-2 | Lalilo → Pass Language test → Next grade |
3-7 | MobyMax → Pass Language test → Next grade |
8-9 | eGumpp → Pass Language test → Next grade |
10-12 | Edmentum → Pass Language test → Next grade |
Science
Grade | Path to the next grade |
3-9 | Alpha Science → Pass Science test → Next grade |
10-11 | PhysicsGraph → Pass Science test → Next grade |
Fast Math
Grade | Path to the next grade |
K-5 | Alpha Test Placement → Math Raiders → Pass Fast Math test → Next grade |
Vocabulary:
Grade | Path to the next grade |
3-5 | VocabLoco → Pass Vocabulary test → Next grade |
6-12 | Membean → Pass Vocabulary test → Next grade |
Writing:
Grade | Path to the next grade |
3–8 | AlphaWrite (Sentences + Paragraphs) → Pass Writing test → Next grade |
Writing in Alpha Anywhere does not use bracketing tests for placement. All students begin at the Grade 3 Writing level and progress through adaptive exercises and lessons. Progress is tracked via Skill Plans, which typically contain 21–28 skills per grade. The "mastered lessons" counter only tracks new skills completed for the first time, ensuring it reflects new learning achievements.