2007-08 Adopted Plan - Wake County Public School System

Trends/Events/InitiativesTen schools were named Honor Schools of Excellence, while elevenschools were named by the North Carolina Department of PublicInstruction (NCDPI) as Schools of Excellence, and 48 schools werenamed Schools of Distinction. Honor Schools of Excellence have90 percent or more of students tested at or above grade level, meetboth expected or high growth for the year and the Adequate YearlyProgress goals of the federal No Child Left Behind Program. Schools ofExcellence have 90% of students at/above grade level and meet at leasttheir expected growth goals. Schools of Distinction have at least 80% ofstudents at/above grade level and also meet at least the expected growthtarget. Of the county’s eleven schools with a performance compositeabove 90 percent, eight met High Growth.The district’s 2005-2009 Technology Plan has been approved by theState Board of Education. Like the previous plan, the new plan isdesigned to advance student achievement, teacher effectiveness, andcommunications. A technology plan is a collaborative effort of districtadministrators, board members, business and community leaders, andteachers who share the vision that technology is a tool to enhancelearning, not a replacement for academic endeavor. The vision calls forongoing comprehensive staff development opportunities for teachers andadministrative personnel; maintaining a proper networking infrastructure(both voice and data) that will connect classrooms and administrativepersonnel to each other and to the Internet; and providing the needed“tools” in the way of hardware, software, and an e-mail messaging service.Despite the recognized need for updating the computers in use indistrict schools, there is no funding request for that purpose in thisplan for student success. The Fall 2006 bond includes funding tobegin implementation of a five-year PC Refresh program for districtschools.to graduate technology literate students who are armed with the 21stCentury skills needed to succeed in the global information economy,whether the path leads to higher education or the world of work.WCPSS is strengthening partnerships and building new alliances.The Wake Education Partnership (WEP) has taken a signifi cant leadershiprole in galvanizing community support. Other alliances, such as theBusiness Education Leadership Council (BELC), are also increasingtheir involvement. The district is working closely with the Wake CountyDepartment of Human Services and other community groups to betteralign options and opportunities for students.Magnet schools offer choice in WCPSS. The Board, in collaborationwith the Office of Magnet Schools, is currently engaged in a review ofthe criteria for magnet schools. The magnet programs will begin anothercontinuous improvement cycle to revamp program models, explore newprogram themes, and create new ways of communication to increasestudent and parent interest in particular magnet schools. Maintaining themagnet schools’ attractiveness is critical to the roles that magnets playin our district.Year-round schools. In response to the tremendous growth that WakeCounty has been experiencing, the Board of Education members decidedto convert nineteen elementary schools and three middle schools to amulti-track year-round calendar for the 2007-08 school year. In addition,four new schools opening in 2007-08 will operate on a multi-track yearroundcalendar bringing the total number of multi-track year-roundschools to forty-six.E-mail is provided to all faculty and staff and a majority of students atthe secondary level. Elementary students are granted access to e-mailwhen requested for instructional purposes. The district manages bothan Internet and Intranet site. The Internet site (www.wcpss.net) canbe accessed by anyone on the World Wide Web and provides a districtprofi le as well as pertinent information on past, present, and futureevents. The Intranet site (www2.wcpss.net) is accessible from withinthe district’s network and is fi lled with valuable information for internalstaff. All technology initiatives being utilized should enable the district9 FY 2007-08 Plan for Student Success