Progress for Cambridge (PFC)

1. A consistent, sustained focus on achievement over the past four years has resulted in demonstrable improvement on many of the multiple measures used by the Cambridge Public Schools (CPS) to track student progress. Under the leadership of the current superintendent, the district went from on-watch, to good standing, having met Adequate Yearly Progress for two years in a row as of 2007. Achievement has improved at a faster rate than the state’s in recent years, with racial subgroups outperforming their counterparts in the state. Since 2003 CPS has used its own Cambridge Benchmarks, which uses tests scores in combination with other measures, to track academic progress in its schools.

2. Cambridge’s high per pupil cost supports a well-rounded education for all, without fees, and with exceptional value to residents and their children. Other districts have cut personnel and programs or imposed fees for all-day kindergarten, instrumental and classroom music, art, elementary foreign language teachers and full-time librarians, athletics, homework help, summer school and transportation. CPS provides these all these services and more to all students, regardless of their ability to pay. This is despite the fact that Cambridge has one of the lowest residential property tax rates in the area.

3. Rather than “teach to the test,” Cambridge has adopted curricula that encourages critical thinking and helps teachers to differentiate teaching for students who may need extra support or extensions to go beyond. Students benefit from the newest editions and revisions of TERC math, Connected Math, the Literacy Collaborative and hands-on science curricula units in all K-8 elementary programs.

4. CPS invests in its highly-qualified teaching staff and principals: The district has spent up to 10 percent of its budget in recent years on professional development, far exceeding the state-recommended three percent. CPS has the highest percentage of national board certified teachers of any district in the state. Together with Harvard professor, Dr. Richard Elmore, all principals are participating in an innovative multi-year training program to better identify and promote quality classroom teaching.

5. CPS has one of the lowest student-teacher ratios in the area: 9:1 as compared to higher ratios in Brookline, Somerville and Newton according to a district analysis done for the 05-06 budget presentation. Average class size in the elementary school programs is 17.5.

6. As of the start of school 2007, Cambridge’s kindergarten enrollments are at a 10-year high, indicating increased confidence in the public schools.

7. Cambridge is one of nearly 40 school districts in the U.S. using a system of socio-economic balancing to make student assignments. SES balancing is considered one of the few permissible tools of integrating schools since the Supreme Court ruled this past June that race-based assignment plans in Seattle and Louisville were unconstitutional. This balancing is overwhelmingly supported by Cambridge families as a way to promote integration and to avoid the well-documented harms of racial and/or economic isolation for students. In addition to its efforts to maintain student balance, CPS has increased the number of teachers of color to 20 percent [25 percent of teachers hired for ’07-08 were of color.] Under this policy, families can choose from many different elementary programs no matter where they live in the city, such as the new Montessori program at the Tobin.

8. Book/Material funds and School Improvements Funds have increased markedly in the last few years. Superintendent Fowler-Finn and Central Administration have worked in concert with the 12 elementary principals and CRLS’ principal to provide additional resources for supplies, school improvement initiatives, and professional development through increased per-pupil allotments. Since 2004 these allocations have increased from $474 per pupil to $741 per pupil, a 64 percent increase. An analysis done for the 05-06 budget showed Cambridge provides nearly twice the level of discretionary funds than Newton and three times more than Somerville. Brookline does not provide these funds to its individual schools.

9. CPS’ only high school is unique: Students are assigned to a small learning community, a homeroom and a guidance counselor for four years to increase connection to the faculty and staff. Block scheduling allows students to take many electives or support classes. CPS has its own state-certified vocational program in 10 areas. College Prep, Honors and an array of AP courses and support courses (AVID, MCAS prep) are available. A new option for dual enrollment in undergraduate classes at Harvard College, Harvard Extension, and Lesley University began in 2006. Student surveys have consistently shown that CRLS is one of the safest urban high schools in the country. 2006 Boston Magazine named CRLS one of seven public high schools that rival their private counterparts in class offerings and excellence in extra curricular offerings. Ninety-two percent of CRLS’ class of 2006 enrolled in a two or four-year college, university or technical school. One out of four CLRS graduates enrolled in the nation’s top 100 colleges and universities. The drop-out rate is among the lowest in the state.

10. CPS is financially well-run and well-positioned for the future: Annual audits done of school expenditures through the City of Cambridge have resulted in no “exceptions” or irregularities. Unanticipated surpluses resulting from lower out-of-district special needs and vocational placements, in addition to increased state reimbursements over the past several years, have been placed in a debt stabilization fund. (See #11).

11. Debt Stabilization Fund for educational stability and future facility renovations. Established by the 2005-06 School Committee, this fund was created in anticipation of looming budget deficits. These deficits are forecasted to begin in ’08-09 due to the phase out of state reimbursements for prior elementary renovations and for charter school tuition reimbursements. Total charter tuition payments will increase by roughly $1.5 million each year through 2013 for a total of $9.8 million in annual tuition payments for an estimated 407 students. The Fund was also set up to help pay interest on bonds needed for future school building and “green projects,” such as the renovation of the high school and its athletic facilities.

12. Competent, stable leadership. Four years ago Superintendent Tom Fowler-Finn was hired by the School Committee to help our schools work to close the achievement gap and raise achievement for all students. Since then, in his annual evaluations, the School Committee has rated Superintendent Fowler-Finn from “very satisfactory” to “commendable” using a variety of different evaluation tools depending on the Committee’s makeup. Each year, the School Committee acknowledged adequate progress was made toward negotiated goals. In 2006, the School Committee negotiated an extended contract through July 31, 2008, with the deadline for notifying him of further extension set at January 31, 2008.