School committee learns about a new model for Integrated I math course

Sarah Kent, the school district’s assistant superintendent of teaching and learning, described a new approach to the Integrated I math course at the School Committee meeting this past Wednesday.

Starting this fall, the course material will be split into two semesters. There are three possible outcomes for students:

1. They pass both semesters of the course and move into the Integrated II math course in the 2026-2027 school year.
2. The student fails one semester of the course and retakes it in the summer. If they pass, they move into the Integrated II math course in the 2026-2027 school year. If they fail again or if they do not attend the summer course, they will take both Integrated II and a new condensed Integrated I course in the new school year.
3. The student fails both semesters of the course and retakes both semesters’ coursework  in the summer. If they pass both semesters, they move into the Integrated II course the following fall. If they pass one semester in the summer, they take the Integrated II course and new condensed Integrated I course in the fall. If they do not attend the course in the summer, they must repeat the regular Integrated I course in the fall.

School Committee member Elizabeth AlJammal expressed concerns about students taking the Integrated I and II math courses at the same time, especially because math classes are sequential.

In response, Kent explained, “The theory behind it is that by semesterizing, you’re allowing students to catch up quicker than losing an entire year.”

AlJammal also asked how the new course will tackle the content in a new way, fostering better understanding.

Mendonsa said the math department is encouraging students to engage in “grappling,” an approach to learning that requires students to struggle with a concept and develop their own methods for understanding. She remembers taking classes that forced her and her classmates to solve problems in one particular way. She added that this approach didn’t work for everyone.

“Now, what’s happening is that teachers are exploring with students,” she said. Teachers ask, “How did you come across that? Will it always work for every single problem?”

In other action, the School Committee

• approved Mendonsa’s school choice participation recommendation against admitting students residing outside the city to the district’s schools for the 2025-2026 school year.
• approved Mayor Jeannette A. McCarthy’s proposal to gather feedback about the new high school at 554 Lexington St. from faculty, staff and students. The district already has warranty issues with the field and garage at that location. Mendonsa intends to send out a Google Form to all occupants to collect input about anything that isn’t working — from lights to water fountains to bathrooms. Improvements will be made during April break and over the summer.
• awarded Kennedy seventh-grader Brady DeJong a citation for his presentation to the School Committee on World Down Syndrome Day. Brady celebrated the day of recognition on March 21 by selling colorful socks at lunch to raise money and awareness for Down Syndrome.
• heard Mendonsa’s updates on the Anti-Racism, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion audit. She hopes to share the full report next month.
• tabled the Police Department’s request for a knox box outside all the schools in the district. Knox boxes allow for rapid access to buildings in the case of an emergency. McCarthy requested more time to connect with police to discuss what additional information and materials besides keys should be included in the boxes.