The North Carolina school performance grades released last week continue to tell the same stories across the state: the schools with well off students perform better than schools with students from lower income families. That’s not what the school accountability is supposed to be telling us about our schools.
There’s a common theme that comes through frequently as WakeEd interacts with dozens of business leaders around the Triangle: they need a ready workforce. Readiness means more than credentials and content knowledge, however. Business leaders almost unanimously say they need employees who can work in teams, convey information, perform analysis and solve problems.
A bill on its way to the governor for signature will prevent a major upheaval in the way school performance is measured. It’s an issue that WakeEd and others have actively pursued for three years.
This year’s Wake County tax increase was a big step in the direction of adequate funding because state leaders persist in approving austere budgets which have left large and small counties alike with picking up the tab for services traditionally funded by the state.
This year’s budget process has marked a turning point in the discussion about local education funding. The school system is no longer the main driver of the proposed property tax increase.
In his second budget as county manager, David Ellis proposed a 6.36-cent tax increase that would send $36.5 million in additional spending for operations of the Wake County Public School System.
Regardless of the profession and above all else, employees want to feel respected and valued. How that respect and value is measured differs across the industry spectrum, but some common themes occur in all areas such as meaningful and productive work, adequate compensation and benefits, and a safe working environment with proper tools and technology. …
It\’s Time for a Productive Conversation About Honoring Educator Professionalism Read More »
A national trend has caught up with Wake County Public School System that has caused district leaders to change the way they think about the future. The U.S. birth rate has declined in recent years, and it hit a 30-year low in 2017, according to a report released on Jan. 10 by the Centers for Disease Control …
Slowing Enrollment Growth Emerges as Opportunity for WCPSS Read More »
Looking back over 2018, it was a good year for advancing good public education policies. Teachers received another raise, a compromise was reached which will reduce class sizes in kindergarten through third grade, and most importantly Wake County voters overwhelmingly supported a $583 million bond referendum to renovate existing and build new schools. Those successes …
Funding is Key to Achieving Success for Public Schools in 2019 Read More »
[et_pb_section admin_label=\”section\”] [et_pb_row admin_label=\”row\”] [et_pb_column type=\”4_4\”] [et_pb_text admin_label=\”Text\”] The recent release of the North Carolina public school performance report cards is a timely reminder that school grading is here to stay, so our state has a responsibility to make sure the formula is adequate and the grading system is equitable. North Carolina’s current school grading …
Three Ways to Improve North Carolina School Report Cards Read More »
