<p>WHEREAS: On January 21, 2020 the Cambridge School Committee voted unanimously to prioritize racial equity and anti-racist work; and</p>
<p>WHEREAS: On June 15, 2021 the Cambridge School Committee adopted anti-racist mission and vision statements; now therefore be it</p>
<p>RESOLVED: That the Cambridge School Committee fully endorses<a href="https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H584">Massachusetts Senate Bill S. 2506 and House Bill H.584 "</a> An Act relative to anti-racism, equity, and justice in education." This legislation,<a href="https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H584"></a>sponsored by Representatives Nika Elugardo of Boston and Erika Uyterhoeven of Somerville, would support the creation of a Commission for Anti-Racism and Equity in Education, the purpose of which would be to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Develop curriculum materials with a social justice perspective towards dismantling racism and advise the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on improving the history and social sciences framework;</li>
<li>Ensure that ethnic studies, racial justice, decolonizing history, and unlearning racism is taught at all grade levels using an analytical approach and pedagogy that is age-appropriate;</li>
<li>Advise the Department on ways to ensure equity on the Massachusetts Test for Education Licensure;</li>
<li>Ensure that teachers and school counselors have access to professional development that fosters equitable, inclusive curriculum, and pedagogy and practices that support racial justice;</li>
<li>Advise the Department on how to best promote efforts to increase, support and retain teachers and school counselors of color in our public-school workforce;</li>
<li>The Commission, in conjunction with the Commissioner of the Massachusetts Board of Education, will develop and administer an Anti-Racism and Equity in Education grant program to allocate funds for public schools and school districts to promote racial equity and racial and ethnic studies within and across school districts on an application basis. Funds and resources for universities and other community groups working in education will also be considered and administered by the Commission and the Commissioner;</li>
<li>The Commission, the Commissioner, and awardees of these funds will work together to analyze the effectiveness of their initiatives, analyze social studies and history curricula and framework through a lens of racial justice, and make amendments to the social studies and history curricula and framework where necessary.</li>
</ul>
<p>and be it further;</p>
<p>RESOLVED: That the Executive Secretary will send copies of this resolution to legislators representing Cambridge at the State House.</p>
