Middle Grades Initiative Timeline

TIMELINE:
The goal of this process is to empower the School Committee to make a wise educational policy decision having had the opportunity to study the important background information and to receive significant input from staff and parents.

October 6/20, 2009 — Superintendent Jeff Young recaps the work of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Middle Schools.  Presents summary of the feedback from the staff and parent forums on this subject.

November 17, 2009 — Chief Operating Officer James Maloney presents data to help School Committee make the best possible informed decision at the end of this process.  Data includes enrollment projections, building capacity analysis, controlled choice implications and other projects.

December 15, 2009 — Deputy Superintendent Carolyn Turk presents School Committee with current research on best practices for educating children in this age group, including a summary of excellent approaches studied locally, nationally, and internationally

December 18, 2009 — CPS concludes two week online feedback survey, resulting in the collection of more than 1000 responses and 55 pages of written comments from parents, students, teachers, and community.

January 19, 2010 — School Committee holds public forum on Middle Grades Initiative, allowing voices of community to be heard and helping School Committee and Superintendent work toward defining the best possible program for Cambridge middle grades students.

February 2, 2010 — Superintendent Jeff Young presents five options for middle grades in Cambridge, and recommends option three, a hybrid model of some K-5 schools, some K-8 schools, and a 6-8 grade middle school.

Individual School Council meetings (click here for schedule) are held throughout the month, culminating in a March 4th meeting with Superintendent Jeff Young to further collect feedback from the community on the five options.

February 23, 2010 — School Committee and Superintendent Jeff Young hold roundtable discussion on Middle Grades Initiative. At this meeting, School Committee shares its thoughts on future of middle grades and the available options.

March 4, 2010 — Superintendent Jeff Young holds All School Council meeting with representatives from each school to further gain insight, collect feedback, and hear opinions on the middle grades options.

April 6, 2010 — Based upon community feedback from public forums, communication with staff and families, Superintendent Jeff Young presents specific details on the Middle Grades Initiatives and the hybrid option.

May 4, 2010 — Regular School Committee meeting with further discussion on Middle Grades options.

May 18, 2010 — School Committee votes on Middle Grades options.