1 00:00:00,767 --> 00:00:03,370 Meaning it's not regularly scheduled. 2 00:00:03,370 --> 00:00:06,970 the time is 524 in the afternoon. 3 00:00:07,674 --> 00:00:11,378 we are in room 500, the council chambers of the johny wilson 4 00:00:11,378 --> 00:00:14,181 building. I'm phil mendelson, chair of the 5 00:00:14,181 --> 00:00:16,783 council. We always begin our legislative 6 00:00:16,783 --> 00:00:19,987 meetings with a moment of silence for reflection. 7 00:00:19,987 --> 00:00:27,187 if we could have silence in the chamber and on the dais. 8 00:00:39,773 --> 00:00:42,375 madam secretary, would you please determine whether we have 9 00:00:42,375 --> 00:00:46,575 a quorum? Council member allen still here. 10 00:00:47,614 --> 00:00:51,214 wonderful to see you. Councilmember bonds, 11 00:00:51,685 --> 00:00:54,685 councilmember bonds, councilmember crawford here. 12 00:00:55,755 --> 00:00:57,755 councilmember felder. Present. 13 00:00:58,892 --> 00:01:01,695 councilmember frumin present. Councilmember henderson still 14 00:01:01,695 --> 00:01:03,663 here. Councilmember louis. 15 00:01:03,663 --> 00:01:06,663 george here. Chairman mendelson present. 16 00:01:07,000 --> 00:01:10,600 councilmember nadeau here. Councilmember parker here. 17 00:01:10,870 --> 00:01:14,508 council member pinto present. Councilmember robert white 18 00:01:14,508 --> 00:01:16,609 present. Councilmember trayon white, sr. 19 00:01:16,609 --> 00:01:20,800 present. Mr. Chairman, you have a quorum. 20 00:01:20,800 --> 00:01:26,680 thank you, madam secretary. We have a consent agenda and the 21 00:01:26,820 --> 00:01:30,290 consent agenda has three ceremonial resolutions on it, 22 00:01:30,290 --> 00:01:33,827 which have to be adopted anyway by unanimous consent. 23 00:01:33,827 --> 00:01:38,431 are there any changes to the consent agenda? 24 00:01:38,431 --> 00:01:40,831 mr. Chairman? What's that? 25 00:01:45,271 --> 00:01:49,442 councilmember parker, it's just a point of clarification. 26 00:01:49,442 --> 00:01:53,980 so it is my understanding. Councilmember trayon white, sr. 27 00:01:53,980 --> 00:01:56,950 sought to control but missed the deadline. 28 00:01:56,950 --> 00:02:00,820 so he is co-sponsoring the lgbtq plus resolution. 29 00:02:00,820 --> 00:02:04,758 so for the public, I just wanted I we had a discussion. 30 00:02:04,758 --> 00:02:08,427 I said we would make sure it was public, but I wanted to make 31 00:02:08,427 --> 00:02:14,427 sure as it's not represented on the agenda that way. 32 00:02:17,737 --> 00:02:19,840 so no change. It's just a point of information 33 00:02:19,840 --> 00:02:22,240 for the public. Okay. 34 00:02:24,477 --> 00:02:29,277 I'm hearing yes, I would just like to. 35 00:02:31,251 --> 00:02:38,451 reflect my concern of this. On all of our deliveries for the 36 00:02:39,925 --> 00:02:42,295 bsa. But I'm not moving off consent. 37 00:02:42,295 --> 00:02:43,864 I'm just I didn't mention it the last time. 38 00:02:43,864 --> 00:02:46,466 and I just wanted to add it to the record. 39 00:02:46,466 --> 00:02:49,350 there are three measures on the consent agenda. 40 00:02:49,350 --> 00:02:50,938 there are ceremonial resolutions. 41 00:02:50,938 --> 00:02:54,374 the only discussion with regard to the consent agenda is whether 42 00:02:54,374 --> 00:02:57,430 something is removed from the consent agenda. 43 00:02:57,430 --> 00:03:00,279 hearing that nothing is being removed from the consent agenda, 44 00:03:00,279 --> 00:03:03,483 the vote will be on the consent agenda. 45 00:03:03,483 --> 00:03:07,200 all those in favor of the consent agenda say aye I. 46 00:03:07,200 --> 00:03:12,392 are there any opposed, madam secretary, you will note, 47 00:03:12,392 --> 00:03:17,397 councilmember bonds is present. We have the non consent agenda. 48 00:03:17,397 --> 00:03:20,500 the first measure is bill 26-659. 49 00:03:20,500 --> 00:03:24,700 the fiscal year 2027 local budget act of 2026. 50 00:03:26,506 --> 00:03:31,306 councilmember pinto, did you want to say something? 51 00:03:31,811 --> 00:03:37,917 I want to express my unease about adding a an additional fee 52 00:03:37,917 --> 00:03:44,590 to people ordering groceries and food at a time when costs are 53 00:03:44,590 --> 00:03:46,126 skyrocketing across the district. 54 00:03:46,126 --> 00:03:53,199 I'm not going to vote against the bsa or the lda today, but I 55 00:03:53,199 --> 00:03:56,799 do have outstanding concerns about that. 56 00:03:57,203 --> 00:04:00,203 okay. Further discussion on bill 57 00:04:01,941 --> 00:04:04,177 26-659. Councilmember felder I'll be 58 00:04:04,177 --> 00:04:07,980 brief and echo my sentiments of my ward two colleague on this 59 00:04:07,980 --> 00:04:10,283 delivery fee. Just thinking about how it's 60 00:04:10,283 --> 00:04:16,283 going to impact drivers as well as the restaurant industry. 61 00:04:17,190 --> 00:04:21,294 I don't I won't speak against I know it's already in the bsa, 62 00:04:21,294 --> 00:04:25,631 but I wanted to go on record just sharing my concerns as 63 00:04:25,631 --> 00:04:29,831 well. Further on the local budget act, 64 00:04:30,437 --> 00:04:37,430 we have bill 26-659 before us. All those in favor say I, I, I. 65 00:04:37,430 --> 00:04:40,643 are there any opposed? Hearing none. 66 00:04:40,947 --> 00:04:45,147 the bill is approved. First reading unanimously. 67 00:04:46,886 --> 00:04:49,622 bill 26-661. Fiscal year 2027 budget support 68 00:04:49,622 --> 00:04:51,891 act of 2026. So moved. 69 00:04:51,891 --> 00:04:57,196 is there a discussion? The vote will be on the bill. 70 00:04:57,196 --> 00:05:00,534 all those in favor say I. I, I. 71 00:05:00,534 --> 00:05:03,870 are there any opposed hearing none. 72 00:05:03,870 --> 00:05:11,277 the ayes have it unanimously. We have excuse me on page two of 73 00:05:11,277 --> 00:05:14,277 the agenda. Proposed contract number. 74 00:05:19,152 --> 00:05:22,752 gag2026c0049 with curriculum associates llc. 75 00:05:22,789 --> 00:05:26,389 disapproval resolution of 2026. Council member henderson. 76 00:05:27,527 --> 00:05:29,796 I wanted to move this. Yes. 77 00:05:29,796 --> 00:05:34,596 thank you, mr. Chairman. This disapproval resolution is 78 00:05:35,835 --> 00:05:41,140 for contract with curriculum associates, but for those who 79 00:05:41,140 --> 00:05:46,378 might have children in the k-12 space is commonly known as 80 00:05:46,378 --> 00:05:49,382 I-ready. My office has received countless 81 00:05:49,382 --> 00:05:52,518 calls and emails from families, educators, state board of 82 00:05:52,518 --> 00:05:56,889 education members frustrated by the use of ai by the use of 83 00:05:56,889 --> 00:05:59,926 I-ready in classrooms, and concerned about the growing 84 00:05:59,926 --> 00:06:02,829 reliance of gamified learning in our curriculum. 85 00:06:02,829 --> 00:06:06,366 as a parent of two daughters in elementary school, I understand 86 00:06:06,366 --> 00:06:09,552 the frustration. Dcps first entered the contract 87 00:06:09,552 --> 00:06:14,857 for I-ready in 2014 as a tool to support math, diagnostics and 88 00:06:14,857 --> 00:06:18,761 some personalized learning, but expanded its use to include 89 00:06:18,761 --> 00:06:21,698 literacy, math, diagnostics, and personal learning. 90 00:06:21,698 --> 00:06:25,935 in 2021, meaning that there are some elementary school students, 91 00:06:25,935 --> 00:06:30,506 my daughters included, who have known I-ready for their entire 92 00:06:30,506 --> 00:06:33,676 elementary school experience. I acknowledge that I-ready is 93 00:06:33,676 --> 00:06:36,779 also used in the middle grades, but it is not used to the extent 94 00:06:36,779 --> 00:06:39,315 that it is used in elementary schools. 95 00:06:39,315 --> 00:06:42,985 so I think as legislators, it's important that we listen to 96 00:06:42,985 --> 00:06:46,989 families and educators when they express concerns. 97 00:06:46,989 --> 00:06:50,893 I had a conversation with the chief of technology, excuse me, 98 00:06:50,893 --> 00:06:56,199 the teach the chief learning on friday to discuss dcps response 99 00:06:56,199 --> 00:06:59,603 to concerns raised by school communities to better understand 100 00:06:59,603 --> 00:07:01,671 the data surrounding the platform's use and 101 00:07:01,671 --> 00:07:04,541 effectiveness. One thing is clear kids are 102 00:07:04,541 --> 00:07:08,110 spending a lot of time on devices during the school week, 103 00:07:08,110 --> 00:07:11,214 and parents are asking whether or not we are striking the right 104 00:07:11,214 --> 00:07:15,818 balance, especially given external research and data on 105 00:07:15,818 --> 00:07:19,418 screen time. Dcps recommends that students 106 00:07:20,456 --> 00:07:22,859 spend 30 to 45 minutes per week on the platform. 107 00:07:22,859 --> 00:07:25,361 however, there are schools throughout the district that are 108 00:07:25,361 --> 00:07:29,265 using the platform almost double the recommended time, year to 109 00:07:29,265 --> 00:07:34,604 date data shows that 17 schools exceed dcps recommended I-ready 110 00:07:34,604 --> 00:07:37,840 usage levels. 49 schools are using the 111 00:07:37,840 --> 00:07:40,909 platform more than the base recommendation of 30 minutes per 112 00:07:40,909 --> 00:07:43,579 week. In math, 40 are using the 113 00:07:43,579 --> 00:07:46,716 platform beyond the 30 minutes per week in literacy. 114 00:07:46,716 --> 00:07:50,553 some school campuses, like lasalle, backus, thomas 115 00:07:50,553 --> 00:07:54,523 elementary, john jay wilson, drew elementary, mlk elementary 116 00:07:54,523 --> 00:07:58,194 and beres elementary are using the platform for over an hour 117 00:07:58,194 --> 00:08:01,331 per week as part of their literacy and math instruction. 118 00:08:01,331 --> 00:08:05,535 yet when I spoke to dcps, there were no clear guardrails on for 119 00:08:05,535 --> 00:08:08,705 how to address schools that were overusing the platform or clear 120 00:08:08,705 --> 00:08:12,208 data to support that usage beyond the recommendation of 121 00:08:12,208 --> 00:08:15,378 whether it was more effective for student outcomes. 122 00:08:15,378 --> 00:08:19,282 there's also a lack of credible, peer reviewed research 123 00:08:19,282 --> 00:08:22,618 supporting its effectiveness. This, coupled with litigation 124 00:08:22,618 --> 00:08:25,721 regarding data privacy and collection, warrants intentional 125 00:08:25,721 --> 00:08:31,721 deliberation of the contract. I filed this notice to agendize 126 00:08:32,950 --> 00:08:35,970 in part because when we filed the notice of disapproval to 127 00:08:35,970 --> 00:08:40,202 extend the review timeline. Mr. Chairman, if I have one more 128 00:08:40,202 --> 00:08:43,406 minute, I requested a meeting with dcps. 129 00:08:43,406 --> 00:08:46,410 now, interestingly enough, no one at dcps was available to 130 00:08:46,410 --> 00:08:48,844 have a conversation with me until june 15th, which would 131 00:08:48,844 --> 00:08:51,714 have been after, well, two days before the contract would have 132 00:08:51,714 --> 00:08:54,584 been deemed approved. So I put this on the agenda and 133 00:08:54,584 --> 00:08:58,454 lo and behold, I got a meeting. And also, lo and behold, we got 134 00:08:58,454 --> 00:09:01,490 a letter from the chancellor finally addressing some of the 135 00:09:01,490 --> 00:09:03,559 issues that families have been raising. 136 00:09:03,559 --> 00:09:06,329 now, I don't think it's necessarily specifically around 137 00:09:06,329 --> 00:09:08,964 iready. I think it's around there is a 138 00:09:08,964 --> 00:09:11,867 mounting frustration around the use of technology altogether in 139 00:09:11,867 --> 00:09:13,969 our schools, which is interesting because a couple of 140 00:09:13,969 --> 00:09:17,239 years ago, everybody wanted every kid to have a a laptop and 141 00:09:17,239 --> 00:09:18,974 a device and all those other things. 142 00:09:18,974 --> 00:09:23,212 and yet it feels like the pendulum has swung in a 143 00:09:23,212 --> 00:09:28,840 direction, particularly in our k to two space that is making some 144 00:09:28,840 --> 00:09:32,488 families feel very uncomfortable around the usage, not just 145 00:09:32,488 --> 00:09:36,224 iready, but also youtube and not just youtube during the school 146 00:09:36,224 --> 00:09:41,564 day, but definitely in the wild wild west of aftercare. 147 00:09:41,564 --> 00:09:44,100 I, mr. Chairman, I'm going to stop here. 148 00:09:44,100 --> 00:09:45,801 I know that there are some colleagues who have some 149 00:09:45,801 --> 00:09:49,438 thoughts about this as well. We have had some conversations 150 00:09:49,438 --> 00:09:52,241 too. I do want to acknowledge that. 151 00:09:52,241 --> 00:09:57,913 I do believe the votes are here, but I understand that the 152 00:09:57,913 --> 00:10:02,451 central office also is concerned about where things land in terms 153 00:10:02,451 --> 00:10:08,451 of next school year. The chancellor made a number of. 154 00:10:09,859 --> 00:10:12,328 or I wouldn't even call them promises because he won't 155 00:10:12,328 --> 00:10:13,196 necessarily be here to fulfill them. 156 00:10:13,196 --> 00:10:17,966 but I guess plans of what dcps plans to implement prior to 157 00:10:17,966 --> 00:10:21,871 school year 2627 around providing some specific guidance 158 00:10:21,871 --> 00:10:24,707 to schools that, frankly, they should have been doing for the 159 00:10:24,707 --> 00:10:29,211 last five years, but nonetheless, here we are. 160 00:10:29,211 --> 00:10:31,814 so I'll stop there. Mr. Chairman. 161 00:10:31,814 --> 00:10:33,149 thank you. Council. 162 00:10:33,149 --> 00:10:35,417 george, do you want to be. And then council member allen, 163 00:10:35,417 --> 00:10:39,955 then council member. Robert white and then frumin and 164 00:10:39,955 --> 00:10:42,355 then me. Councilmember lewis. 165 00:10:43,826 --> 00:10:46,228 thank you. I understand that this 166 00:10:46,228 --> 00:10:49,765 disapproval resolution will be withdrawn, but I appreciate the 167 00:10:49,765 --> 00:10:52,735 important conversation that it has raised. 168 00:10:52,735 --> 00:10:56,505 our youngest learners deserve a classroom centered on human 169 00:10:56,505 --> 00:10:58,905 connection and strong instruction. 170 00:10:59,975 --> 00:11:02,912 reading, creativity and engagement with teachers, and 171 00:11:02,912 --> 00:11:07,184 not excessive screen time. My experience and belief is that 172 00:11:07,184 --> 00:11:09,652 to achieve the best student outcomes, our public schools 173 00:11:09,652 --> 00:11:12,121 should set clear limits on screen time. 174 00:11:12,121 --> 00:11:16,659 in the early years and reduce overreliance on edtech for test 175 00:11:16,659 --> 00:11:19,328 preparation, and develop guidance with teachers for 176 00:11:19,328 --> 00:11:22,465 appropriate technoogy use by grade, with transparency for 177 00:11:22,465 --> 00:11:25,568 parents on what tools are being used and why. 178 00:11:25,568 --> 00:11:28,871 I also remain concerned about renewing the iready contract 179 00:11:28,871 --> 00:11:32,410 with curriculum associates. While the platform faces the 180 00:11:32,410 --> 00:11:35,277 ongoing federal class action litigation related to student 181 00:11:35,277 --> 00:11:39,448 data privacy and security, dcc families deserve confidence that 182 00:11:39,448 --> 00:11:42,985 student information is being protected and handled 183 00:11:42,985 --> 00:11:45,621 responsibly, even without moving forward on this resolution 184 00:11:45,621 --> 00:11:49,525 today, I hope this moment creates an opportunity for dcps 185 00:11:49,525 --> 00:11:53,829 to reassess whether continued reliance on this platform or any 186 00:11:53,829 --> 00:11:57,433 other aligns with healthy child development, student well-being, 187 00:11:57,433 --> 00:11:59,702 data protection, and the best interests of children and 188 00:11:59,702 --> 00:12:02,104 families. And I look forward to hearing 189 00:12:02,104 --> 00:12:04,240 more discussion at the hearing that you will be hosting. 190 00:12:04,240 --> 00:12:06,240 chairman. Thank you. 191 00:12:06,942 --> 00:12:11,142 thank you, councilmember. Councilmember allen, thank you. 192 00:12:12,515 --> 00:12:18,515 with an eighth grader about to have her promotion celebration 193 00:12:18,936 --> 00:12:21,505 next monday night and headed to high school. 194 00:12:21,505 --> 00:12:25,409 I've gone through the dcps. I'm not my pre-k years anymore, 195 00:12:25,409 --> 00:12:29,346 but I certainly remember with my fourth grader, I already is 196 00:12:29,346 --> 00:12:32,649 something that we heard lots of complaints about. 197 00:12:32,649 --> 00:12:35,850 but as a parent, not just a council member, when we dig in, 198 00:12:35,850 --> 00:12:39,890 we'd see and hear about not just 5 minutes or 8 minutes a day. 199 00:12:39,890 --> 00:12:42,360 we would hear about long periods of time on a lot of these 200 00:12:42,360 --> 00:12:44,628 platforms. And so as a parent, I also share 201 00:12:44,628 --> 00:12:47,230 these concerns. I really appreciate the 202 00:12:47,230 --> 00:12:49,499 resolution that's in front of us and the conversation and 203 00:12:49,499 --> 00:12:53,103 hopefully the action, more importantly, that it prompts. 204 00:12:53,103 --> 00:12:56,507 I'm also not here not just hearing, though, from parents. 205 00:12:56,507 --> 00:12:58,575 I also want to be clear, I've actually heard from a lot of 206 00:12:58,575 --> 00:13:01,978 educators with concerns around I-ready and an overreliance on 207 00:13:01,978 --> 00:13:04,915 it, both what it can do and what it doesn't do. 208 00:13:04,915 --> 00:13:08,252 as an educator, I've heard from teachers who have talked about 209 00:13:08,252 --> 00:13:13,690 how the tool actually hides the questions and the answers that a 210 00:13:13,690 --> 00:13:17,327 student would get wrong from the teacher and educator. 211 00:13:17,327 --> 00:13:20,497 so the frustration that I hear from the educator is, if the 212 00:13:20,497 --> 00:13:24,600 goal is to help me figure out what skill is this kid missing, 213 00:13:24,600 --> 00:13:26,937 this test does not help me with that. 214 00:13:26,937 --> 00:13:31,741 it will provide some kind of vague kind of responses. 215 00:13:31,741 --> 00:13:35,120 back on common core standards, but it doesn't allow a teacher 216 00:13:35,120 --> 00:13:37,947 educator to be specific to that student, to that student's 217 00:13:37,947 --> 00:13:40,350 needs, or the skills they're trying to be working on. 218 00:13:40,350 --> 00:13:44,688 and so that tells me that this tool from the educator side is 219 00:13:44,688 --> 00:13:49,292 also not hitting what it is that it needs. 220 00:13:49,292 --> 00:13:53,630 I, as often with our school year and contracts that feel almost 221 00:13:53,630 --> 00:13:56,700 always timed for late spring, early summer, be it a food 222 00:13:56,700 --> 00:14:00,937 contract or anything else, it puts us in a very difficult 223 00:14:00,937 --> 00:14:05,909 position where if we were to disapprove, a contract, what 224 00:14:05,909 --> 00:14:08,440 would dcps have ready for the fall? 225 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:11,448 and so I've heard from teachers who are both sharing 226 00:14:11,448 --> 00:14:14,884 frustrations with I-ready, but also saying, how would dcps be 227 00:14:14,884 --> 00:14:17,922 able to actually find a new tool this summer, getting folks 228 00:14:17,922 --> 00:14:20,423 trained up and ready and educated, and then be able to 229 00:14:20,423 --> 00:14:22,625 implement this for the first day back in the year. 230 00:14:22,625 --> 00:14:26,620 at some point, we've got to get so many of our school contracts 231 00:14:26,620 --> 00:14:30,320 off of this schedule that it all is coming in june and july. 232 00:14:30,320 --> 00:14:32,435 I remember just a couple of years ago with the food services 233 00:14:32,435 --> 00:14:36,474 contract that was in july, and the options were just extend the 234 00:14:36,474 --> 00:14:39,576 contract that had problems or kids don't eat, which is not a 235 00:14:39,576 --> 00:14:41,678 position we're going to put ourselves in. 236 00:14:41,678 --> 00:14:44,681 so I think that's that's an overall frustration I will add 237 00:14:44,681 --> 00:14:47,150 to the technology. And counselor henderson talked 238 00:14:47,150 --> 00:14:49,885 about this as well. What I see and hear in addition 239 00:14:49,885 --> 00:14:55,925 to this, and it should prompt the larger conversation, is kids 240 00:14:55,925 --> 00:15:01,798 who in after care, youtube is just turned on and not the ad 241 00:15:01,798 --> 00:15:05,902 free version, but the students are just watching lots and lots 242 00:15:05,902 --> 00:15:08,400 of youtube with lots and lots of ads. 243 00:15:08,400 --> 00:15:10,206 for everybody who's put a political ad out there, pretty 244 00:15:10,206 --> 00:15:14,100 much your dcps students have seen those things, but I don't 245 00:15:14,100 --> 00:15:18,515 know why we can't have dcps move to just ad free youtube 246 00:15:18,515 --> 00:15:20,717 subscriptions to help work with aftercare. 247 00:15:20,717 --> 00:15:22,919 I think there's more guidance needed. 248 00:15:22,919 --> 00:15:25,921 I think that I want to be careful that we do not swing a 249 00:15:25,921 --> 00:15:28,725 pendulum too far back the other way as well, because I do think 250 00:15:28,725 --> 00:15:31,361 technology is incredibly important for our students. 251 00:15:31,361 --> 00:15:33,997 and the equity of that technology and equipping 252 00:15:33,997 --> 00:15:35,999 students with those tools is really important. 253 00:15:35,999 --> 00:15:38,402 so I want us to be thoughtful and careful, but I'm really 254 00:15:38,402 --> 00:15:41,604 grateful for the resolution that prompted conversation and action 255 00:15:41,604 --> 00:15:44,141 that needed to happen, and I appreciate it. 256 00:15:44,141 --> 00:15:47,141 thank you. Thank you, councilmember 257 00:15:47,543 --> 00:15:53,583 councilmember robert white thank you, chairman, I have I'm also a 258 00:15:53,583 --> 00:15:56,619 dcps parent whose kids use I-ready. 259 00:15:56,619 --> 00:16:01,891 and the concerns are, are, are not just the technology, but 260 00:16:01,891 --> 00:16:03,693 whether I-ready is actually helping them grow. 261 00:16:03,693 --> 00:16:09,366 I got stopped at a school event this morning by a parent who, 262 00:16:09,366 --> 00:16:12,570 who said, you know, it is repetitive and then asked me to 263 00:16:12,570 --> 00:16:16,906 look at the data showing that there really is not evidence 264 00:16:16,906 --> 00:16:20,911 that this is helping. There are other ways to do 265 00:16:20,911 --> 00:16:24,511 testing. So I'd be concerned about 266 00:16:24,914 --> 00:16:27,417 overreliance on that as a reason to continue this. 267 00:16:27,417 --> 00:16:33,490 but I do recognize that at this point, it seems dcps can't get 268 00:16:33,490 --> 00:16:38,361 an alternative contract or program in place for next year. 269 00:16:38,361 --> 00:16:42,665 but my understanding is that dcps has committed to re that 270 00:16:42,665 --> 00:16:46,200 this contract is only for next school year, and that dcps is 271 00:16:46,200 --> 00:16:48,405 committed to reevaluating it. Is that. 272 00:16:48,405 --> 00:16:50,573 does anybody else have that same. 273 00:16:50,573 --> 00:16:52,573 yes, yes. Okay. 274 00:16:52,676 --> 00:16:55,110 so so that is something I see as good news. 275 00:16:55,110 --> 00:16:58,314 and we'll we'll have to hold their feet to the fire through 276 00:16:58,314 --> 00:17:02,485 the committee of the whole. Thank you. 277 00:17:02,485 --> 00:17:04,954 chairman. The education or, or the or the 278 00:17:04,954 --> 00:17:08,491 standalone education committee. We gotta try. 279 00:17:08,491 --> 00:17:12,162 are you picking a fight right now? 280 00:17:12,162 --> 00:17:16,320 council member frumin. Thank you very much. 281 00:17:16,320 --> 00:17:18,401 chairman mendelson thank you, council member henderson for 282 00:17:18,401 --> 00:17:23,574 bringing forward this resolution and and pushing forward this 283 00:17:23,574 --> 00:17:25,542 conversation. We have been hearing from a lot 284 00:17:25,542 --> 00:17:30,460 of people also about a number of different issues in questions 285 00:17:30,460 --> 00:17:35,510 about the role of ai in schools, questions about how much time 286 00:17:35,510 --> 00:17:39,590 kids spend on screens in schools, questions about I-ready 287 00:17:39,590 --> 00:17:45,428 and its role in the classroom, but also questions about how do 288 00:17:45,428 --> 00:17:50,467 we stay true to getting to digital equity so that 289 00:17:50,467 --> 00:17:53,937 everybody, to the extent that technology is a benefit to 290 00:17:53,937 --> 00:17:58,708 learning, that everyone gets to enjoy the benefit to to learning 291 00:17:58,708 --> 00:18:04,280 that it can provide. This has been a chapter in a 292 00:18:04,280 --> 00:18:07,617 conversation. My hope and maybe somebody 293 00:18:07,617 --> 00:18:10,787 suggested that maybe the chairman had already agreed, but 294 00:18:10,787 --> 00:18:14,624 I think we need to have a hearing in the fall. 295 00:18:14,624 --> 00:18:20,997 on the subject of technology in schools and hear from lots of 296 00:18:20,997 --> 00:18:23,967 people about what the issues are, what's the science, what 297 00:18:23,967 --> 00:18:28,430 are the what are the best practices in other 298 00:18:28,430 --> 00:18:31,579 jurisdictions? Because the pendulum does seem 299 00:18:31,579 --> 00:18:36,520 to be swinging and there is a fair amount of concern that we 300 00:18:36,520 --> 00:18:39,788 may be putting too much weight on these tools, and it's worth 301 00:18:39,788 --> 00:18:45,694 it for us as a body to step back and hear from a cross-section of 302 00:18:45,694 --> 00:18:49,698 people on this topic and think about policy recommendations 303 00:18:49,698 --> 00:18:54,498 going forward. So while I share, I understand 304 00:18:56,371 --> 00:19:01,710 that the abrupt termination of the termination of this contract 305 00:19:01,710 --> 00:19:06,281 would leave us without tools for the coming year, and that the 306 00:19:06,281 --> 00:19:09,818 contract will be rebid, as I understand it, next year. 307 00:19:09,818 --> 00:19:15,557 in any case, I think letting it go forward, but moving towards a 308 00:19:15,557 --> 00:19:19,940 better approach in this area is the right, right solution. 309 00:19:19,940 --> 00:19:21,497 so I thank you for bringing it forward. 310 00:19:21,497 --> 00:19:28,970 and I thank you for withdrawing it hasn't been withdrawn quite 311 00:19:28,170 --> 00:19:29,838 yet. Councilmember. 312 00:19:29,838 --> 00:19:31,838 nadeau. Thanks. 313 00:19:32,740 --> 00:19:35,911 echoing the concerns of some of the other parents here about 314 00:19:35,911 --> 00:19:40,949 technology and screen time, but also acknowledging that, you 315 00:19:40,949 --> 00:19:44,119 know, technology can be a good tool in the classroom if it's 316 00:19:44,119 --> 00:19:47,522 used properly and there are proper guidelines. 317 00:19:47,522 --> 00:19:53,522 my hope is that through this exercise, dcps has understood 318 00:19:53,796 --> 00:19:56,464 that we want them to be more thoughtful and purposeful in 319 00:19:56,464 --> 00:20:01,470 their rollout of tech, in schools and in the contracts we 320 00:20:01,470 --> 00:20:03,606 sign. We spoke to teachers and 321 00:20:03,606 --> 00:20:05,807 advocates, and they echoed these sentiments. 322 00:20:05,807 --> 00:20:09,211 but when the discussion shifted to whether I-ready should be 323 00:20:09,211 --> 00:20:11,546 canceled immediately, the response from teachers was 324 00:20:11,546 --> 00:20:14,816 largely no. Many educators indicated that if 325 00:20:14,816 --> 00:20:16,918 I-ready is going to be phased out, a replacement plan should 326 00:20:16,918 --> 00:20:21,556 be developed first, so my concern with moving forward is 327 00:20:21,556 --> 00:20:24,126 that we'd be removing a tool that schools are currently 328 00:20:24,126 --> 00:20:27,229 using, without clear guidance on what comes next. 329 00:20:27,229 --> 00:20:30,499 that said, it's crucial that we use the remainder of the current 330 00:20:30,499 --> 00:20:33,701 contract period to evaluate I-ready and review broader 331 00:20:33,701 --> 00:20:36,305 technology to use in classrooms and develop alternative 332 00:20:36,305 --> 00:20:39,305 strategies with meaningful teacher input. 333 00:20:39,307 --> 00:20:42,511 tech in schools should be used as a way to increase equity in 334 00:20:42,511 --> 00:20:46,448 bridge gap gaps in resources, but not without adequate 335 00:20:46,448 --> 00:20:51,530 safeguards and regulations. So I support the chairman 336 00:20:51,530 --> 00:20:55,657 holding a a hearing this fall so dcps can present a plan and 337 00:20:55,657 --> 00:20:57,393 stakeholders, including educators, parents and school 338 00:20:57,393 --> 00:21:00,262 communities can weigh in. We definitely need more voices 339 00:21:00,262 --> 00:21:05,662 to be part of this discussion. Thanks to my. 340 00:21:06,968 --> 00:21:10,805 co movers of the disapproval resolution for getting this 341 00:21:10,805 --> 00:21:14,810 conversation going, and I support council member 342 00:21:14,810 --> 00:21:16,511 henderson's plans to withdraw today. 343 00:21:16,511 --> 00:21:20,111 thank you. Thank you, councilmember nadeau. 344 00:21:20,716 --> 00:21:24,619 so, as has been intimated, the disapproval resolution was 345 00:21:24,619 --> 00:21:28,819 introduced by myself and councilmembers henderson and 346 00:21:29,558 --> 00:21:32,600 nadeau. And it was introduced because we 347 00:21:32,600 --> 00:21:36,631 have heard for months, if not years, a complaint about too 348 00:21:36,631 --> 00:21:42,400 much testing in schools and more recently, more specifically, 349 00:21:42,400 --> 00:21:45,400 complaints about the I-ready testing. 350 00:21:46,241 --> 00:21:51,713 I would say this year we heard demands that our oversight 351 00:21:51,713 --> 00:21:55,317 hearing and budget hearing that the I-ready contract be 352 00:21:55,317 --> 00:21:57,717 canceled. It is interesting. 353 00:21:58,987 --> 00:22:03,459 empower ed represents a lot of teachers or speaks for a lot of 354 00:22:03,459 --> 00:22:05,459 teachers. Had. 355 00:22:06,828 --> 00:22:10,599 had, I believe, initially advocated that the contract be 356 00:22:10,599 --> 00:22:15,203 canceled, but they sent a an email more recently saying that 357 00:22:15,203 --> 00:22:20,275 the opinion is mixed and that. In fact, I'm reading from this 358 00:22:20,275 --> 00:22:22,778 to preferences to cancel the I-ready math delay. 359 00:22:22,778 --> 00:22:25,947 the cancellation of I-ready reading for one year, which is 360 00:22:25,947 --> 00:22:29,160 not an option we have. It's a yes or no on the 361 00:22:29,160 --> 00:22:32,654 contract. I do think that, and this is 362 00:22:32,654 --> 00:22:36,892 echoing what actually others have said, that by having the 363 00:22:36,892 --> 00:22:38,161 disapproval. And then council member 364 00:22:38,161 --> 00:22:43,965 henderson, you putting it on the agenda has actually forced the 365 00:22:43,965 --> 00:22:49,365 executive to take the criticism or complaints more seriously. 366 00:22:49,738 --> 00:22:54,443 and I want to read into the record a piece of the 367 00:22:54,443 --> 00:22:57,946 chancellor's letter that we received last week. 368 00:22:57,946 --> 00:23:01,883 dcps is taking several steps to respond to families feedback on 369 00:23:01,883 --> 00:23:06,488 students screen time. First, before the start of the 370 00:23:06,488 --> 00:23:10,580 2026 2027 school year, central services will provide schools 371 00:23:10,580 --> 00:23:14,730 with clear grade level specific guidance about technology usage 372 00:23:14,730 --> 00:23:17,730 during instructional and non-instructional times, 373 00:23:17,733 --> 00:23:20,969 including time limits for I-ready instruction. 374 00:23:20,969 --> 00:23:23,839 second, starting with the new school year, students will use 375 00:23:23,839 --> 00:23:27,439 new, shorter diagnostic assessments provided by 376 00:23:27,743 --> 00:23:30,779 curriculum associates. Third central services will 377 00:23:30,779 --> 00:23:34,783 closely monitor schools I-ready usage and respond when usage is 378 00:23:34,783 --> 00:23:37,183 approaching the recommended levels. 379 00:23:37,652 --> 00:23:40,550 fourth, before the start of the new school year, central 380 00:23:40,550 --> 00:23:43,624 services will provide teachers with recommended and approved 381 00:23:43,624 --> 00:23:46,528 alternatives to I-ready personalized instruction. 382 00:23:46,528 --> 00:23:50,728 fifth, during the 2020 627 school year, central services 383 00:23:51,433 --> 00:23:55,437 will issue guidance on the expectation of I-ready usage 384 00:23:55,437 --> 00:23:58,407 outside of school time. Six at the beginning of the new 385 00:23:58,407 --> 00:24:01,343 school year, the office of external affairs will hold a 386 00:24:01,343 --> 00:24:04,813 parent university for interested parents to provide information 387 00:24:04,813 --> 00:24:09,251 and solicit feedback about dcps approach to education 388 00:24:09,251 --> 00:24:11,219 technology. There are actually four more. 389 00:24:11,219 --> 00:24:12,954 I won't read all of them, but they are. 390 00:24:12,954 --> 00:24:18,493 in this letter dated june 6th from the chancellor to. 391 00:24:18,493 --> 00:24:21,493 council members, all council members. 392 00:24:21,730 --> 00:24:25,133 so the committee of the whole will have a hearing this fall 393 00:24:25,133 --> 00:24:27,135 on. It won't be specifically or 394 00:24:27,135 --> 00:24:31,373 solely on I-ready contract, but on technology and I-ready 395 00:24:31,373 --> 00:24:37,973 contract will be part of that hearing with pressing dcps on 396 00:24:38,140 --> 00:24:43,414 the need to evaluate and consider an alternative to 397 00:24:44,887 --> 00:24:49,191 I-ready. With a year from now, I thought 398 00:24:49,191 --> 00:24:54,830 I was the last one on line. Councilmember parker I'm sorry, 399 00:24:54,830 --> 00:24:58,430 councilmember louis george was distracting me. 400 00:24:58,734 --> 00:25:03,172 I, I plan to support this measure and I know it's being 401 00:25:03,172 --> 00:25:05,474 withdrawn. I appreciate the sensitivity to 402 00:25:05,474 --> 00:25:09,112 the matter. I just would also acknowledge a 403 00:25:09,112 --> 00:25:12,647 while ago we cut the a net contract. 404 00:25:12,647 --> 00:25:16,218 I actually thought annette was a superior product to I-ready, but 405 00:25:16,218 --> 00:25:20,550 I digress. And so all that to say, as we're 406 00:25:20,550 --> 00:25:25,861 having hearings, I hope we can just think globally about the 407 00:25:25,861 --> 00:25:30,466 impact of various contract decisions on the agency. 408 00:25:30,466 --> 00:25:35,300 and it's worth noting dcps has been making progress, and they 409 00:25:35,300 --> 00:25:38,440 continue to grow. And I just think that shouldn't 410 00:25:38,440 --> 00:25:40,709 be lost. Yes, changes are necessary. 411 00:25:40,709 --> 00:25:45,130 I think we're prudent to lean in here and technology use. 412 00:25:45,130 --> 00:25:48,150 when I read the chancellor's letter, about 30 minutes a day, 413 00:25:48,150 --> 00:25:52,755 I kind of chuckled because I know for a fact, and we probably 414 00:25:52,755 --> 00:25:56,625 all have evidence of students on computers and I-ready in 415 00:25:56,625 --> 00:25:58,600 particular much longer than that. 416 00:25:58,600 --> 00:26:00,896 so I know that's a little bit all over the place, but I just 417 00:26:00,896 --> 00:26:03,732 wanted to register, as you're having that hearing, mr. 418 00:26:03,732 --> 00:26:07,602 chairman, I think it's worth thinking globally about the 419 00:26:07,602 --> 00:26:10,806 agencies assessment strategy and the consequences of decisions 420 00:26:10,806 --> 00:26:13,806 like this. So thank you. 421 00:26:14,676 --> 00:26:16,712 thank you, councilmember henderson. 422 00:26:16,712 --> 00:26:21,383 thank you, mr. Chairman. I just want to say for the 423 00:26:21,383 --> 00:26:25,220 record, there are some people who have suggested that 424 00:26:25,220 --> 00:26:29,791 opposition to I-ready means that we're somehow not in favor of 425 00:26:29,791 --> 00:26:32,460 accountability or checking in. Actually I am we used to have 426 00:26:32,460 --> 00:26:34,530 these things called textbooks, and once you got to the end of 427 00:26:34,530 --> 00:26:37,200 the unit, there was a quiz, and then you could check your 428 00:26:37,200 --> 00:26:38,668 answers. But we don't do textbooks 429 00:26:38,668 --> 00:26:43,710 anymore in the same way. Which, you know, we can have a 430 00:26:43,710 --> 00:26:44,773 conversation about what we need to bring that back. 431 00:26:44,773 --> 00:26:48,543 but nonetheless, I do think overall, we need to be more 432 00:26:48,543 --> 00:26:51,790 thoughtful about how we integrate technology so that it 433 00:26:51,790 --> 00:26:55,279 remains a tool to enhance. Not supplant. 434 00:26:58,887 --> 00:27:02,900 core instruction. I appreciate, mr. Chairman, your 435 00:27:02,900 --> 00:27:04,930 commitment to convening a hearing on this topic in the 436 00:27:04,930 --> 00:27:07,496 fall. If I think through, though, all. 437 00:27:07,496 --> 00:27:10,231 everyone who has said, I'm going to work on this in the fall, the 438 00:27:10,231 --> 00:27:15,637 fall is going to be busy. I hope everybody coming to work 439 00:27:15,637 --> 00:27:20,108 come september, but I hope that when we return to this issue, 440 00:27:20,108 --> 00:27:23,108 we'll be discussing concrete changes. 441 00:27:23,378 --> 00:27:25,714 you know, there is proposed legislation. 442 00:27:25,714 --> 00:27:28,500 it hasn't been introduced, but that's an avenue as well. 443 00:27:28,500 --> 00:27:31,920 so I don't want dcps to think that my withdrawing this today 444 00:27:31,920 --> 00:27:35,757 ends the conversation, nor that we will forget. 445 00:27:35,757 --> 00:27:39,528 I hope that the interim leadership of dcps takes it very 446 00:27:39,528 --> 00:27:43,399 seriously over the summer and hopefully sets up students and 447 00:27:43,399 --> 00:27:45,701 teachers and our contractors that we're working with in our 448 00:27:45,701 --> 00:27:50,339 schools up for success for the beginning of school year 2627. 449 00:27:50,339 --> 00:27:53,875 and so with that, mr. Chairman, I withdraw. 450 00:27:53,875 --> 00:27:58,246 the measure has been withdrawn. That's going to conclude the 451 00:27:58,246 --> 00:28:03,251 business before people jump up. So I was very, very poorly 452 00:28:03,251 --> 00:28:04,820 behaved at the end of the committee. 453 00:28:04,820 --> 00:28:08,224 the whole meeting, I was thanking folks and I forgot to 454 00:28:08,224 --> 00:28:10,759 turn the page. And so I didn't think anybody in 455 00:28:10,759 --> 00:28:13,290 my office. So I'll take this occasion to 456 00:28:13,290 --> 00:28:15,263 thank the committee, the whole staff. 457 00:28:15,263 --> 00:28:20,630 blaine storm, evan cash, john verlin, aaliyah mcneely. 458 00:28:22,370 --> 00:28:25,842 hannah kozak and christian tea, all of whom I'm not quite sure 459 00:28:25,842 --> 00:28:29,311 if they were working for me or working for the budget office 460 00:28:29,311 --> 00:28:33,114 the last couple of weeks, but a lot of they put in a lot of 461 00:28:33,114 --> 00:28:36,251 time, a lot of hours. And so I regret that I 462 00:28:36,251 --> 00:28:38,453 overlooked them at the committee of the whole. 463 00:28:38,453 --> 00:28:40,856 but maybe the legislative meeting is a more important 464 00:28:40,856 --> 00:28:45,127 venue to thank them. There being no further business, 465 00:28:45,127 --> 00:28:48,864 the council will meet in an additional meeting on june 23rd 466 00:28:48,864 --> 00:28:51,990 and the regular meeting on june 30th. 467 00:28:51,990 --> 00:28:56,499 the time is 5:53 p.m. This meeting is adjourned.