Strategies
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools chose Cambridge to provide a rigorous curriculum that suits a diverse range of students. The flexibility of the curriculum provides the district with an important tool to ensure greater opportunity and equity for students. Deputy Superintendent of Academic Services Dr. Matthew Hayes shared that the Cambridge program “gave kids an option to engage in a high-level curriculum based on their strengths as learners. That was key to us.”
Professional development
Another key to Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s implementation of the Cambridge program has been robust use of Cambridge professional development. The district prepares new teachers with introductory training before they start teaching Cambridge courses, and supports experienced teachers with extension and enrichment training.
State policies
Charlotte-Mecklenburg’s Cambridge program also gets a boost from state policies that reward advanced academics. North Carolina helps to cover advanced exam costs and students who take Cambridge International AS & A Level exams can earn college credit and placement at all North Carolina public colleges and universities. In addition, many institutions across the US offer credit or placement for Cambridge exams, including MIT, all Ivy League institutions, Duke, Washington State University, Columbia, New York University, University of Washington, University of Virginia, Florida State University, and many more. Dr. Hayes appreciates that Cambridge Advanced courses and exams “give our students an opportunity to get ahead of the game while they're still in high school.”
