In Context

WakeEd’s In Context newsletter is a monthly deep-dive into education issues impacting the Wake County Public School System.

A new report titled, “The Economic Impact the Wake County Public School System” released by WakeEd Partnership and Wake County Public School System, in collaboration with NC State University, assesses the value-add of the state’s largest school district to its region, and the results are good for taxpayers and WCPSS graduates alike.

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

Apr 23, 2019

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...

Several plans emerge to pay for statewide school construction and renovation

Mar 21, 2019

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...

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

Feb 18, 2019

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...

WCPSS Seeking to Add More ‘Charter-Like’ Schools

Dec 5, 2016

The “restart” model for high-needs schools will expand to 10 more WCPSS schools next year. Last week, the state Board of Education approved the application submitted by WCPSS to restart five more elementary schools and five middle schools. All of which are schools...

State School Funding Changes Could Be on the Horizon

Dec 5, 2016

Big changes could be coming to North Carolina’s educational funding system. A recent study presented to the Joint Legislative Program Evaluation and Oversight Committee revealed inequities in the current funding formulas and made suggestions for entirely new ways to...

Principal and AP Compensation Committee Hears from Experts Who Urge Paying for Professionalism

Dec 5, 2016

The path to a new formula for paying school-based administrators is proving to be hard to find. At its first meeting in October, the Joint Legislative Study Committee on School-Based Administrator Pay reviewed a proposal to eliminate the current complicated salary...

WCPSS School Board Approves Pay Raises for Non-Certified Staff

Dec 5, 2016

Salary bonuses may be coming for thousands of essential Wake County Public Schools employees who haven’t had a raise in years. The school board recently reviewed a plan to pay a one-time $500 bonus to hourly employees such as teacher assistants, custodians, child...

Parent Input Aids Student Assignment Planning

Nov 10, 2016

The last phase of the latest student assignment will be the result of parent input and student data. Wake County Public School System plans to open one middle school, two elementary schools, and one application-only high school for the 2017-18 school year. The parents...

Principal Pay Plan Calls for End to Pay Scale

Nov 10, 2016

The initial plan to restructure the way school principals are paid in North Carolina calls for an end of the complicated pay scale. In its place, lawmakers propose giving superintendents the power to negotiate salaries with principals, and to provide performance...

WCPSS Staff, Board Revising Policy Manual

Oct 26, 2016

Some of the most important work going on within Wake County Public School System isn’t happening the classroom. The WCPSS School Board and school system staff are working on a major project to update the system’s policy manual - a document which formalizes the...

Vision 2020 Strategic Plan Enters New Phase

Oct 26, 2016

Wake County Public School System is undergoing a systemic change. That was the message from Vision 2020 Strategic Plan Co-Chairs Karen Hamilton and Beth Hodge to the WCPSS School Board at a recent work session. That change is coming in every area of operation and...

WakeEd Endorses Transit Bond Referendum Nov. 8

Oct 26, 2016

It may seem a bit unusual that a non-profit focused solely on educational issues has an interest in regional transportation needs, but transit is, in fact, an education issue. That’s why WakeEd supports the transit referendum on the Nov. 8 ballot and urges our...