1. Public Comment (3 Minutes):

2. Student School Committee Report:

3. Presentation of the Records for Approval:

• August 8, 2023, Regular Meeting
• August 10, 2023, Special Meeting

4. Reconsiderations:
None

5. Unfinished Business/Calendar:
#23-200: Motion to Ensure Equitable Opportunities for All Students to Reach Higher Level Math, including Algebra Instruction Before 9th Grade | Joint Motion by Member Weinstein, Vice Chair Rachel and Member Hunter

WHEREAS: The  National Council of Teachers of Mathematics defines algebra as “a way of thinking and a set of concepts and skills that enable students to generalize, model, and analyze mathematical situations” (National Council of Teachers of Mathematics [NCTM], 2008).

WHEREAS: Algebra I is an important gatekeeper course for STEM careers, as demonstrated by Bob Moses’ Algebra Project, and Algebra is usually the first domain in school mathematics that encourages students’ abstract reasoning; and

WHEREAS: The opportunity to complete Algebra I prior to 9th grade, with needed supports,  must be available to all CPSD children without requiring individual families to seek out opportunities outside of CPSD; and

WHEREAS: CPSD has a history of successfully offering Algebra I prior to 9th grade at multiple CPS schools at various points; and

WHEREAS: The School Committee is on record with policies calling for CPSD to offer Algebra I instruction in 8th grade in 1992, 1998, 2010, 2012, and 2013; and 

WHEREAS: CPS has recently adopted and is in the process of rolling out the Illustrative Math curriculum in K-12, and the CPS Upper School Mathematics plan, which includes the integration of three Algebra I units into the 8th-grade curriculum; therefore, be it

RESOLVED: That, by 2025, the Cambridge Public Schools will provide equitable in-school, school-year opportunities to all students to complete Algebra 1 before 9th grade. This includes broad outreach to engage families, caregivers, and educators; and be it further 

RESOLVED: That, beginning in fall 2023, the Superintendent will offer a program that supports all students to prepare to enter Algebra I in 8th grade and expands and enriches learning for those who are already performing above grade level in math; and be it further

RESOLVED: That this plan will include an annual review of implementation that will include feedback from representative groups of educators, students, and families/caregivers, specifically including families who represent communities of color and multilingual families; and will include data that captures all student groups on math mastery to determine if all students’ needs are being met, so that we can make adjustments as needed to ensure that there are no unintended inequities in math mastery and in completion of Algebra I before 9th grade; and be it further

RESOLVED: That, from 2023-2026, the Superintendent will prioritize providing math educators with coaching and support for effectively implementing the Illustrative Math curriculum in heterogeneous groups, to guarantee that all math classrooms provide rigorous math instruction that meets the differentiated needs of students; and be it further

RESOLVED: That this plan will not track students in math; and be it further

RESOLVED: That there will be multiple pathways for individual student needs to be met whether they need more time and support to master the content or to advance in the content through means such as differentiated instruction, personalized supports, or targeted intervention; and be it further

RESOLVED: That this plan will be communicated and coordinated with CPSD elementary, upper school, and high school administrators, elementary and math educators, and curriculum leaders.

6. Awaiting Reports:
None

7. Superintendent’s Agenda:

7a. Superintendent's Update:

Back to School General Updates

7b. Presentations:

District Plan: Focused Initiatives SY23-24

Victoria L. Greer, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools

7c. CPS District Plan:

None

7d. Consent Agenda:
#23-202 Recommendation: Approval of Revision to the Controlled Choice Policy
#23-203 Recommendation: Approval of Student Attendance Policy (Second Reading)
#23-204 Recommendation: Approval of Physical Restraint Policy (Second Reading)
#23-205 Recommendation: Approval of Inoculation of Students Policy (Second Reading)
#23-206 Recommendation: Approval of Teaching About Drugs, Alcohol, & Tobacco and about Family Life/Sex Education Policy (Second Reading)
#23-207 Recommendation: Approval of Revisions to the 2023-2024 Cambridge Public Schools District Calendar
#23-208 Recommendation: Day & Residential Program Services not Available from the Cambridge School Department
#23-209 Recommendation: Contract Award: Enroot: Educational Services
#23-210 Recommendation: Contract Award: Youth Guidance: Educational Services
#23-211 Recommendation: Contract Award: UAspire: Educational Support Services
#23-212 Recommendation: Contract Award: SEEM Collaborative: OSS Health Curriculum
#23-213 Recommendation: Contract Award: PowerSchool Group LLC: Computer Software
#23-214 Recommendation: Contract Award: Cengage Learning: Instructional Materials
#23-215 Recommendation: Contract Award: Cambridge PUblic Health: Nursing Services
#23-216 Recommendation: Contract Award: Cambridge Housing Authority: Educational Services
#23-217 Recommendation: Contract Award: MAG Retail Holding-FFD: 2023 Ford All Electric Vehicle
#23-218 Recommendation: Contract Award: Barnes & Noble Inc: Instructional Materials
#23-219 Recommendation: Contract Award: Branching Minds: Computer Software
#23-220 Recommendation: Contract Award: Robert Avossa dba K-12 Leadership Matters: Professional Development
#23-221 Recommendation: Contract Award: Robert Half Recruiters & Employee Agency: Temporary Staffing Services
#23-222 Recommendation: Contract Award: FresPoint Connecticut: Fresh Produce
#23-223 Recommendation: Grant Award: FY24 Individual with Disabilities Education Act Early Childhood (SC24607)
#23-224 Recommendation: Grant Award: FY23 Expanded Homeless Shelter Funding (SC23218)

8. Non-Consent Agenda:
None

9. School Committee Agenda (Policy Matters/Notifications/Requests for Information):
None

10. Resolutions:
None

11. Announcements:
None

12. Late Orders:
#Late Order from September 5, 2023 Meeting: Late Order Regarding Elementary School Schedule Guidelines | Motion by Vice Chair Rachel

WHEREAS: The administration developed elementary school schedule guidelines to ensure that students receive adequate instruction time in core academic subjects; and

WHEREAS: The guidelines address significant differences between individual Cambridge Public Schools’ instruction time for particular subjects; and

WHEREAS: Schools have created their SY23-24 schedules accordingly; and

WHEREAS: Some have interpreted the scheduling guidelines as detailed mandates rather than guidelines, resulting in concerns over rigid learning conditions; and

WHEREAS: Caregivers from every CPS school have contacted the School Committee and Superintendent with concerns about reduced play, nutrition, rest, and transition times; and

WHEREAS: The superintendent’s team clarified, at the August 8 meeting, that the guidelines would neither prevent extending class meeting times when students need longer nor providing requisite transition time between classes; now therefore be it 

RESOLVED: that the administration issues written communication to CPS staff confirming that the elementary schedule guidelines are advisory, and that principals and educators have the trust of the Committee and Superintendent to adjust as they see fit. 

13. Communications and Reports from City Officers:

• Mayor Siddiqui: Communicating Information about Cambridge Promise Pilot

Updated on 09/05/2023