News

New Initiative Launched to Support Working Families During Remote Learning

The new effort, Families and Schools Together (FAST) Initiative, is being led by the Wake County Public School System (WCPSS), WakeEd Partnership, the YMCA of the Triangle, Marbles Kids Museum, Boys & Girls Clubs Serving Wake County and the City of Raleigh Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department.

WakeEd Partnership Names Keith Poston President

Wake County education nonprofit WakeEd Partnership has named Keith Poston as its new President. From 2014 to 2019, Keith served as President and Executive Director of the Public School Forum of North Carolina, leading the statewide public education nonprofit during a critical juncture in its 33-year history.

WCPSS Response to COVID-19 An Example of Masterful Leadership

The response by Wake County Public School System to the COVID-19 pandemic is a masterclass in leadership by example in using the 4 C’s: Collaboration, Communication, Critical Thinking and Creativity.

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...

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WakeEd Board of Directors: Schools need support and flexibility during COVID-19

Earlier this week, the WakeEd Board of Directors sent a letter to all members of the NC House and Senate who represent Wake County, and to members of the House Select Committee on COVID-19's working group on education. The letter encourages the continuation of pay and...

Investor Spotlight: BASF

For innovation to happen, we need people who understand our customers’ needs and challenges, as well as the ability to use creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and STEM training to come up with solutions for our current and future needs.

WakeEd Wednesdays

WakeEd Wednesdays is a video 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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BTLN: School Grade Versus Teacher Turnover

By: Margaret Borden | Math Teacher, Knightdale High School “Mrs. Borden, I know I want to study schools, but there are so many variables to choose from, how in the world will I narrow this down in time?” - Kiara Bush, May 17, AP Statistics class Since February, Kiara...

A 15-Point Win for School Report Cards

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.

Wake’s Leaders Chose Wisely with New Tax Rate

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.

WCPSS is No Longer the Top Driver of Tax Increases in Wake County

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.

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.

County Manager David Ellis Proposes $36.5 million more for WCPSS

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.

Link: Career-Focused PBL at North Wake College and Career Academy

This year, North Wake College and Career Academy engaged businesses from two different industries in providing hands-on PBL experiences for students.

Link: Capturing the Spirit of Lead Mine Elementary School

Lead Mine Elementary School leaders are collaborating with marketing professionals from Lifetouch and AlphaGraphics to help capture the spirit of Lead Mine students, teachers, and parents.

Link: Exploring Global Careers at Dillard Drive Middle School

Dillard Drive Middle School and LORD Corporation are collaborating to expose students to variety of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) careers.

Report: Teachers have the greatest impact on inspiring students to pursue STEM careers

There’s been a lot of buzz in recent years about exposing more K-12 students, especially girls and minorities, to STEM career fields. These fields are particularly male dominated, and they are among some of the highest-paying professions lately. However, the barriers...

Why Grade-Level Reading Matters

Several plans emerge to pay for statewide school construction and renovation

With four competing proposals, it is very likely North Carolina will have a plan for school construction by the end of this year’s legislative session. How it will be funded and how much Wake County might receive when everything is final is anybody’s guess at this...

Intern Profile: Hannah Naylor

Hi, I’m Hannah Naylor, a senior at Meredith College majoring in Mass Communication and Public Relations, with minors in Professional Writing and Presentation Media, and Sociology. While at Meredith I have served in leadership positions with Lambda Pi Eta Honor...

It’s Time for a Productive Conversation About Honoring Educator Professionalism

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...

Slowing Enrollment Growth Emerges as Opportunity for WCPSS

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...

Funding is Key to Achieving Success for Public Schools in 2019

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...

WakeEd Urges Voters to Support the WCPSS Bond Referendum on Nov. 6

The schools will be built no matter what. The schools will be built If the bond referendum passes, and taxes will go up if the bond referendum passes. The schools will be built If the bond referendum fails, but taxes will go up even higher if the bond referendum...

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...