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<p>WHEREAS: Algebra I is an important gatekeeper course for STEM careers; and</p><p>WHEREAS: CPSD has a history of successfully offering Algebra I prior to 9th grade at multiple CPS schools at various points; and</p><p>WHEREAS: The U.S. Department of Education encourages communities to offer Algebra I in 8th grade, stating that “[t]aking Algebra I before high school, such as in 8th grade, can set students up for a strong foundation of STEM education and open the door for various college and career options;” and</p><p>WHEREAS: It is inequitable to require individual families whose students are ready for this content to seek opportunities outside of CPSD, and outside of the regular school day; and</p><p>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 </p><p>WHEREAS: The School Committee is on record more generally with an Academic Challenge Policy that states that the “[c]urriculum will be designed to provide a range of opportunities for challenging, intellectually stimulating experiences“ for all students, including those working above grade level, and that “[m]athematics instruction will meet the needs of all students;” therefore, be it</p><p>RESOLVED: That, by the fall of 2025, the Cambridge Public Schools will provide in-school, school-year opportunities for Upper School students to complete Algebra 1; and be it further</p><p>RESOLVED: That, during the 2024-2025 school year, the District will offer programing during (but not limited to) the school day, that affords 7th grade students the opportunity to participate in advanced math work to ensure that they have the foundation required to successfully complete Algebra I in 8th grade; and be it further</p><p>RESOLVED: That whereas the special programs would be available to all students, and their completion would be required for students wishing to take Algebra I in 8th grade during the 2025-2026 school year, not all students would be required to enroll in these special programs, nor required to enroll in the 8th Algebra I course during the 2025-2026 school year; and be it further</p><p>RESOLVED: That, by the fall of 2026 - if CPSD elementary and upper school math educators and administrators deem us ready - the District will revert to its original plan of heterogeneous instruction, with all students completing an Upper School math sequence that includes all Algebra I units; and be it further</p><p>RESOLVED: That, during the 2024-2025 school year, elementary and upper school math educators and administrators will be convened on a regular basis to discuss what will be needed – at both the elementary and upper school levels - to be truly successful in our long term goal of graduating all students through a curriculum that includes all Algebra I units before 9th grade, and how we’re doing in providing these resources, with a report to be distributed to CPSD elementary, upper school, and high school administrators, elementary and math educators, curriculum leaders, families and the School Committee for visibility; and be it further</p><p>RESOLVED: That this plan will be communicated and coordinated with CPSD elementary, upper school, and high school administrators, elementary and math educators, curriculum leaders, and families, immediately </p>