News

Investing in Education is A Choice, Not An Invoice

The 25-year lawsuit to improve education funding in North Carolina reached a major milestone last week and reactions ranged from “I told you so.” to “How will we pay for it all?”

Why Grade-Level Reading Matters

Being able to read on grade-level by the third grade can change a child’s life. For five years, WakeEd Partnership’s Partners Read program has placed mentors into Wake County Public Schools to read with developing first and second grade students and has provided...

Four NC Communities Receive National Honors for Literacy Initiatives

The national Campaign for Grade-Level Reading (CGLR) is recognizing four North Carolina communities for measurable progress on key indicators of early school success. Read Charlotte in Mecklenburg County; Chatham Reads in Chatham County; Growing Moore Readers of Moore County and WAKE Up and Read in Wake County reported progress in 2017 for children from low-income families toward at least one CGLR indicator: school readiness, school attendance or summer learning.

Former Teacher Leaves $2.7 Million to Establish College Scholarship Program in Wake County

WakeEd Partnership is pleased to present the first class of Coach Bob Pittard Scholars. Mr. Pittard was a former teacher and graduate from Wake County Public Schools who left in his will financial capabilities and direction to establish a sustainable college scholarship fund for student athletes in Apex, North Carolina.

A-maize-ing PBL at Weatherstone Elementary School

While participating in WakeEd’s SummerSTEM program, Mrs. Sautro and Mrs. Rhyne from Weatherstone Elementary School were embedded in leading STEM companies and received coaching in the implementation of project-based learning.

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Attrition Report Ignores Serious ‘Brain Drain’ Among K-12 Teachers

According to a report about teacher attrition prepared for the State Board of Education this week, the fact only 7.5 percent of teachers have left the public schools to work in another industry or state is seen as an indicator of rising job satisfaction among teachers. It’s reasonable to draw that conclusion, but this is not a significant victory.

Investor Spotlight: First Citizens Bank

First Citizens has served North Carolina for 121 years, so we know the difference public education has made and is making in our communities. Vibrant public schools are a critical engine for furthering economic growth.

WakeEd Wednesdays

WakeEd Wednesdays is a weekly series produced to simplify many of the complexities of North Carolina’s largest school district, the Wake County Public School System. With more than 180 schools, 160,000 students, and 11,000 teachers, WCPSS has a major impact on all Wake County residents regardless of whether they have children enrolled in the schools.

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September 2018 BTLN Kickoff

Wake Beginning Teacher Leadership Network kicked off its 2018-2019 sessions with a great opportunity to dive in and network! We began our night with some yummy pizza catered by Papa Murphy’s and the room was buzzing with teacher’s checking in about how the school year...

Three Ways to Improve North Carolina School Report Cards

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...

WakeEd Board Adopts Resolution Supporting the WCPSS Bond Referendum

The Board of Directors of WakeEd Partnership through its President, Steve Parrott, today announces the adoption of a Resolution in support of the Bond Referendum on the November 2018 election ballot. Press Release Board Resolution WCPSS Return on Investment WakeEd is...

Law of Averages: There Are Better Ways to Measure Teacher Salaries Than State or National Averages

With the election season on the doorstep, it is reasonable to think that public school funding will be among the top issues raised at candidate forums, and specifically teacher pay will be one issue that is likely to receive the lion’s share of attention. Teacher pay...

Investor Spotlight: BASF

We encourage other businesses to partner with WakeEd and join in our effort to continue to provide the best possible education in Wake County. It truly takes a village and we all have a stake in our future.

Learning to Treasure Wild Ducks with IBM

There is a saying, “treasure your wild ducks,” meaning value the outside-the-box thinkers and those who will try new things to push the envelope. IBM strives to live by this philosophy as they implement Agile and Design Thinking.

Opening “Circuits” of Understanding with Wake Tech

Have you ever thought about learning as a circuit? Our Wake Technical Community College experience today involved us experiencing how electrical circuits are created.

Realizing Solutions with Plexus

Have you ever wondered where the Coke Freestyle machines at Wendy’s and Five Guys come from? Turns out they were partially designed by the company who hosted our first immersion day for elementary, Plexus.

Why is SummerSTEM Important for Beginning Teachers?

How is SummerSTEM helpful to a beginning teacher? This is a question that I am seeking to answer this week as I am fortunate enough to fully participate in SummerSTEM.

SummerSTEM Day Five: Wrapping it All Up

Takeaways were numerous when discussed today, and several themes stood out during reflection. The message from businesses during immersion days was a desire for both businesses and schools to form partnerships.

SummerSTEM Day Four: Tapping Into the Grid

What is “the grid”? While we talk about “the grid” all the time, and hear about it in the news, we are often unaware of the true meaning. During one SummerSTEM group’s day two of immersion, which I was able to join, educators teamed up with ABB to learn more.

SummerSTEM Day Three: Chasing Learning

Circuits, and 3D printers, and pharmaceuticals, oh my! Today, SummerSTEM partnered with Wake Technical Community College to understand more about some of the careers for which Wake Tech helps prepare students.

SummerSTEM Day Two: Teachers Need Field Trips Too

Did you know that Duke Energy has a water resources team that monitors the health of Harris Lake? I did not, until today when I was given the opportunity to join the site visit to Duke Energy.

SummerSTEM Day One: What’s Your Why?

What’s your why? This question is of vital importance in the education sphere and arguably in every business and industry. It drives every teacher and every student, whether known or unknown.

WakeEd Partnership Expands Board of Directors

WakeEd’s impact would not be possible without the support and leadership from WakeEd’s Board of Directors. This group of local leaders provides expertise, perspective, and a passion for public education that drives our organization forward. That is why we are excited to introduce nine new members, who have joined the Board of Directors in 2018.

Boarding Pass: Global Studies Through Student-Led Podcasts

Podcasts are more popular and prolific than ever, and the educators at Stough Magnet Elementary School in Raleigh wondered how they could be used in the classroom. Better still, could creating a podcast become a useful learning tool itself?

Four NC Communities Receive National Honors for Literacy Initiatives

Investor Spotlight: Martin Marietta

Undeniably, education is a critical building block in any community foundation. Highly effective teachers equipped with the skills and technology needed to optimally develop our students into future leaders, engaged business civic-minded people and a well-informed citizenry are necessary for community improvement and growth. WakeEd promotes this mission in the Wake County community and Martin Marietta is proud to partner in its efforts.

Belt-Tightening Forcing Tough Choices for WCPSS

The Wake County Public School System is preparing for the 2018-19 school year by looking at ways to reduce its budget after revenue sources come up short.

Live from the 2018 Education Policy Summit

The Wake County Beginning Teacher Leadership Network (BTLN) is a teacher-led young professionals network that aims to empower and retain beginning teachers in the Wake County Public School System. This week, Christina Spears and America Moreno represented BTLN at the...

Former Teacher Leaves $2.7 Million to Send Apex Athletes to College

WakeEd announced the 2017-2018 winners of the Coach Bob Pittard Scholarship! Read our press release. Thanks for watching! Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and click the bell icon for notifications. For more from WakeEd, follow us on social media, links are at...

Former Teacher Leaves $2.7 Million to Establish College Scholarship Program in Wake County

STEMposium Named STEM Event of the Year

WakeEd Partnership and the Wake County Public School System collaborated to host STEM in the Park's STEM Event of the Year in 2018! Thanks for watching! Don’t forget to like, comment, subscribe, and click the bell icon for notifications. For more from WakeEd, follow...

WakeEd Board Approves Resolution Supporting Additional Funding for WCPSS for 2018-19

The WakeEd Board of Directors has adopted a formal resolution in support of increased funding for Wake County Public School System for the 2018-19.

WCPSS must maintain current level of service

WCPSS is requesting $58.9 million in new spending for the 2018-19 school year. This includes $48 million in new spending necessary to maintain the current level of service.

Teacher Pay and the NC General Assembly

Above all, WakeEd Partnership supports teachers so they can achieve the dreams they have for their students. As the NC General Assembly opens today, we will continue to advocate for higher salaries and better policies that enable Wake County to recruit and retain the...

County Manager’s Budget Proposes $30 Million More for Schools

Wake County Manager David Ellis proposed increasing the spending for WCPSS by $30 million in fiscal 2018-19. That’s well below the $58.9 million the school board’s requested increase. The school system says it will take $48 million just to maintain the same level of service as this school year.

Inside the Triangle’s STEM Event of the Year

During SummerSTEM 2017-2018, 100 Wake County Public School System educators were embedded in 20 STEM companies to experience first-hand the workplace they are preparing students to enter. The impact is seen each year at STEMposium, the culminating event of our...

An Annual Rivalry With No Winners

Around the Triangle, we look forward to great sports rivalries. Sometimes your team wins, sometimes not; but we enjoy the games. In the real world of post-March Madness, the annual competition of County Commissioners v. School Boards for school operational funding is enjoyed by no one and produces only losers, and here is my explanation of that.