Speaking of the weekly Wednesday early dismissals, Wake NCAE is holding a press conference today on how professional learning teams are helping improve student performance

At the press conference, Wake NCAE "will invite invite parents, community leaders and school board members to celebrate American Education Week by joining educators at local schools during a PLT Wednesday session."

"Educators want to keep this important time to communicate, cooperate, and help ensure that all children's educational needs are met," according to the press release.

CORRECTED DANA KING'S TITLE TO SAY PRESIDENT OF SCHOOL SYSTEM'S PRINCIPAL'S DIVISION 

One of the school system's goals is selling parents on why adding more planning time for teachers is worth all the schedule changes planned for the upcoming school year.

As noted in today's article, school board members and the committee that recommended the schedule changes realize it's going to be a tough adjustment for families.

You can expect to hear a lot more about professional learning communities and why strengthening them in Wake will help teachers and students.

You know a proposal is going to be a hard sell when the school board and staff spends time lecturing the media on how to report an issue.

That was the case on Tuesday when school board members said the media needs to explain why the bell schedule changes are needed for the 2009-10 school year. They stressed the benefits that will come from giving teachers more planning time in professional learning communities.

As noted in today's article, those backing the proposal acknowledge it won't be easy selling parents on earlier starting times, more early release days and regular early dismissals.