Conservative businessman Bob Luddy, who is building two more private high schools in Wake County, is explaining his views on school competition and the role of public schools.
As noted in today's article by Thomas Goldsmith, Luddy said there's no conflict for him to be involved in traditional public schools, private schools and charter schools. Critics of the school board majority have accused Luddy of backing them to try to destroy the school system.
"They all offer separate choices for parents and students,” Luddy said. “If you look in private industry, you have an array of choices. If you only have one school system, you don't get the same choice or growth."
On public schools, Luddy said parental choice should be the most important consideration in how schools are set up. And if no one chooses public schools, the institution could disappear, he said, adding one condition.
“As long as there was an opportunity for all students to go to school,” he qualified. “There has to be a mechanism for all children to be educated.”
Luddy also took on those who say that eliminating the diversity policy will lead to high-poverty schools. Those concerned about the creation of high-poverty schools under a new assignment plan focused on sending students closer to home are protesting too late, Luddy said.
“I'm concerned that it already exists and we are not doing anything about it as a society,” he said. “There's no plan released at this point, but whatever plan is released has to improve that situation."
Comments
A little help?
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 21:59 — willynillyI have been to the DPI web site to gather some data and I am failing miserably. Is there a way to access school report cards from the past 5 years? I am trying to see what gains, if any, have been accomplished over that number of years in several schools.
Here
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 13:21 — Solon77go to NCDPI, on the left side NC School Report cards
here you can select District, County, City, Charter
you can change the year from the drop down box.
Here?
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 22:28 — Apexter"Is there a way to access school report cards from the past 5 years? "
Does this have what you're after?
http://www.ncpublicschools.org/accountability/reporting/leaperformancearchive/
Thanks Apex, I went there,
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 23:05 — willynillyThanks Apex, I went there, but I was just really looking for grad rates over the past 5 years county by county. There is so much data to sort. I have heard so many people say that Char Meck is so much worse than WCPSS what I was trying to do was look at rates over the past 5 years ie did the rates increase? decrease? Maybe I need to look at some individual school scores. I want to know....IS Char Meck getting better? IS WCPSS getting worse?
Here you go
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 13:42 — Solon77Graduation date for the past
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 00:08 — KeungHui (author)Graduation date for the past 5 years can be found by clicking here on the state's ABCs website.
Thanks Keung
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 08:13 — willynillyThis page was rather interesting. When I got to the page I found the LEA Summary for AYP for each county. Without anything offered commentary wise, here are the percentages of schools that made Adequate Yearly Progress and the years:
Char Meck WCPSS
09-10 58.5 38.4
08-09 68.7 62.8
07-08 20.6 19
06-07 40.5 40.1
05-06 35.2 47.4
04-05 42 62.9
03-04 55.5 73
02-03 38.3 43.1
Homeschooling in NC - Is this for Real -
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 16:00 — RMC10One parent has to have a high school GED or diploma - wow we should all home school - this is a rather low requirement - yet a large percentage of NCarolina parents homeschool
...copied in part from homeschooling page....
n short, first notify the Division of Non-Public Education that you intend to homeschool by filling out the Letter of Intent to Homeschool found at the site and mailing it to:
The Division of Non-Public Education
530 North Wilmington Street
Raleigh, NC 27604-1198
The department will send you an information packet upon receiving your intent to homeschool.
One parent must show proof of a high school diploma or equivalent.
You must maintain disease immunization or a religious exemption statement for each student.
You must maintain annual attendance records indicating that you operate the school on a regular schedule, excluding reasonable holidays and vacations, during at least nine calendar months of the year (form available at DNPE’s website.)
You must test your children (or have them tested) annually using a nationally standardized achievement test (lists available at DNPE’s website).
Think about ... neither
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 18:53 — user12345Think about ... neither parent has to have a high school diploma to create and raise children which is way harder.
Array of choices??
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 08:56 — sachivalayAs a parent, what are my choices: (1) WCPSS - Guaranteed entry and no additional money over my taxes (2) Charter school - No guarantee for entry and additional money for transportation (3) Private school - No guarantee for entry and a lot of additional money.
Now within those choices (1) gives me widest variety of programs. Choices (2) and (3) will cost me money and will give me few variety of programs. WCPSS is the best bang for buck for any parent living in Wake county. Period!
Now which of the above choice even have a shot at improving high poverty schools? Only WCPSS. I do not think charter or private schools will solve high poverty school issue. If Luddy is concerned about high poverty schools, he needs to allow ED kids to attend his shiny private schools for free.
When a businessman talks about a problem, only thing on the mind is how to make profit out of it. It stinks!!
A few points and
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 16:30 — woodstockA few points and questions:
Cary Academy, the Goodnights and their friends at WEP
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 11:28 — SDR256"When a businessman talks about a problem, only thing on the mind is how to make profit out of it."
You mean as WEP has traditionally, comfortably, worked in this county? As Ann Denlinger has traditionally made a very comfortable salary, all cozied in with the developers in this county - the ones responsible for the 'uncontrolled growth'? You mean the money machine that churned out houses at a greedy rate which then 'required' the 'diversity policy' because it left the urban areas out of the plan? Were you referring to THAT form of business and its 'concerns' with schools?
"he needs to allow ED kids to attend his shiny private schools for free."
I know that Thales has a scholarship program and there are children of challenged and committed families attending, but it is not widely bragged about because its not done for political reasons. OR, by 'he' were you referring to Jim Goodnight and his Cary Academy which costs more than 3X Thales' tuition? Now, with all the bells and whistles in those schools and the cost of it, that would be a really painful bit of philanthropy - so fewer kids could benefit. But you probably were NOT referring to the Goodnights and Cary Academy. I reckon Mr. Goodnight and his wife's friends at WEP are from 'your side' of the fence.
Not true
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 11:12 — Bob_SconceWhen a businessman talks about a problem, only thing on the mind is how to make profit out of it. It stinks!!
That's a charicature in your mind, but isn't true. For one, all of Luddy's schools are non-profit. He's not making a dime.
Only a social justice zealot
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 11:25 — red_balloonOnly a social justice zealot would condemn an incentive system for innovation, risk, and improvisation.
"Social Justice" isn't that
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 12:06 — user12345"Social Justice" isn't that one of the Beck talking points? Like "Forced Busing" .... it is always interesting to see these term pop up after Rush or Beck feed them to their disciples.
User12345678
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 19:00 — choice4allpullen.org
"Social justice-oriented, inclusive, LGBT-affirming, innovative, genuine, courageous, and authentic are words often used to describe our church."
(Main mission statement of the pullen baptist church website). Pssst...The Rev Petty's church.You know? The Rev Barber's good friend? Pretty pathetic website for a church when you have to search for the word of God and the word social justice stares you in the face. A really sad bunch.
FYI...Glenn Beck did not start the fire however much you would like to think so.
Beck as in Glenn Beck? I am
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 15:32 — red_balloonBeck as in Glenn Beck? I am not familiar with his talking points. Fox isn't a channel I watch.
You need to understand there are parents caught up in this inane imbroglio who are neither Democrat nor Republican. Just your average hard working individual who has been paying substantial taxes over the years only to find out public education is a mess orchestrated by social justice zealots. So, no, I don't need Beck or whoever to identify social justice objectives as a factor that corrupts and debilitates the quality of public education.
And as I told you before,
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 18:44 — user12345And as I told you before, ten years from now after you paid even more taxes, public schools won't be any better .... government will put down the same sidewalk year after year under Republican or Democrat control ... government is about consist mediocrity... you will eternally be disappointed putting your faith in government to lead the pack ...
So you are
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 19:08 — DrActualFactualSo you are anti-government? Who leads when absent a government?
I am not saying they should
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 07:56 — user12345I am not saying they should not lead ... raise an army, build roads, manage floods, provide public education .... just that they will never do it as well as the private sector ... that is not anti-government .... just an understanding of government's capabilities.
The government is a huge
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 11:24 — red_balloonThe government is a huge inefficient monolith that shreds your tax dollars faster than you can earn. Feeding it with lowered expectations and limited accountability makes the problem worse.
Thinking government has the
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 11:32 — user12345Thinking government has the answer and is the savior only lead to disappointment ... as I said, consistent mediocrity .... which is a good thing and probably the apex of government's abilities.
Disagree
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 11:50 — Bob_SconceThere are plenty of public school systems that are excellent, but they tend to be smaller than what we have here.
I recently heard on a podcast that economists believe the "optimal size" of a school district is around 10,000 students -- above that number, you don't really gain any significant economies of scale but do lose in bureaucracy, silo-building and other inefficiencies. Interestingly, dividing the district's 140,000 students into 16 'zones' yields about 10,000 students per zone. The zones aren't sufficient -- you still need to give them a lot more autonomy -- but they're a start.
Bob ... we always have this
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 12:52 — user12345Bob ... we always have this disagreement about colleges admission, etc. where you point to something that is possible but not probable. So, I mention "government" as in US government, NC Government, WC government ... peaking at average and you usually bring up some obscure, 2% place that does not represent most places ... I am sure their is some system somewhere in the US that shows it is possible blow past private schools but that is not the norm ...... WCPSS with 140k kids going to 160k, to 200k will never be TPG's small hometown school system ... btw, Halifax has 4000 kids so it must be really optimized.
Hmmm
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 14:30 — Bob_SconceYou're right. It is a perpetual discussion. Perhaps I'm too literal.
I agree that, in general, government's best is generally what you or I would consider to be mediocre. And that's why I want the government to do as little as possible.
However, I've seen--went to--extraordinary school districts that did a fantastic job. And I believe that WCPSS, properly reorganized and led, can get there--and I think that the current board has been making steps (and a few missteps) along the way. If I didn't believe that, we'd downsize & send our kids to private school.
And maybe I am too general
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 15:18 — user12345And maybe I am too general ... I appreciate your point of view ... personally, I think WCPSS is a good system and I am guessing for where you live you probably get the better of the system (classes, facilities, etc.) than many other places in the county. My beef with the current boards is that they have not convinced me their heart is in it and they are here for the long run. I would have liked to see things like VoTech be put in the plan so the machinery can start budgeting and planning for it last Oct. .... and I don't see saying all the same schools, kids and teachers are now in zones will really make much academic difference. In fact, I see a lot of people who will live across the street from a school in a different zone and won't be able to attend it which seems as bad as what people had before zones. I think your children will do well because you oversee and supplement them but I don't see the school system changing that much during the time your kids are in school to make that much difference.
So WCPSS is "consistent
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 11:44 — red_balloonSo WCPSS is "consistent mediocrity"?
As I have always said, WCPSS
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 15:18 — user12345As I have always said, WCPSS is above average results for below average cost which probably puts the systems as one of the best values in the country. It won't put Ravenscroft out of business but it will continue to draw thousands of new kids a year.
Thus, from your example,
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 15:43 — red_balloonThus, from your example, "consistent mediocrity" isn't the norm. Government entities can and should do better.
Yes ... can and should but
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 16:30 — user12345Yes ... can and should but won't .... we don't pay government the right incentives to be high performers ... why would someone in government job on a defined laddered salary based on years of service with job security take risks and make waves ... it is not like government employees get stock options .... so, it is possible for a pig to fly but not probable .... the best the public can hope from government is that they steal as little as possible, get in the way infrequently and stay on the sidelines unless absolutely needed and tend to maintaining social order and protecting property.
Exactly, and why would any
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 18:48 — willynillyExactly, and why would any teacher, who has tenure, rock the boat at all. Any teacher who brings a problem to attention is labled a S--t disturber and is pressured to quit. No matter how bad or good a teacher is if they keep their nose clean and do not make waves they will make it to retirement and go away. It's sad.
I think "social justice"
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 12:15 — CaryCurmudgeonI think "social justice" is more associated with the liberal side. They tried calling themselves "progressive" but everyone got them confused with Flo from the car insurance commercials.
Hmmmmmm....like neighborhood
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 12:12 — willynillyHmmmmmm....like neighborhood schools being called "antidiversity?"
After teachign in a charter
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 10:00 — willynillyAfter teachign in a charter for 2 years I often heard parents express that they were willing to do anything to get their kids into a charter if they thought it had half a chance of helping their child. The fact is that ED students DO attend charters. The DPI web site is not set up to express this. Since F&R forms are never handed out at most charters (they do not have a cafeteria) then there is now ay to designate a child ED. I have been in the classroom for 13 eyars (now in my 14th) and I have never seen any parent of any child provide a tax return. So....the only way that can be sued to determeine ED is obviously F&R.
To say that a charter can make a profit is to express misunderstandings. A charter can get ONLY x-number of dollars per child annually. That monay is not sent to the charter until the 10 day head count is done. The county, state and FEDS total for that child (according to the costs of the students county) will never begin to cover all costs. Teachers salary, books, infrastructure, ututlites all have to be paid out of NOT very much money. There is no profit. On the contrary, all charters have to have a benefactor who puts their own money up front or there has to be a massive fund raising drive on at all times.
I saw what the WCPSS does. I know it first hand. Their is nothing more on the minds of the system than to have everyone do what they say. To altch on to whatever idea the county posses no matter how hairbrained it is. ANY teacher who dares to question anything (even though that teacher may be able to show exactly the drawbacks to an idea) will be silenced.
If you can (I have been unable to do this on DPI website) go back and look at the past 5 years of scores for, say, Char/Meck (since they have demonized) and look at what growth (if any) they have enjoyed. Look at the WCPSS and see what their scores have been. When you find standardized data (nationwide) Franklin Academy does pretty well. For exmaple, the SAT average for Franklin Academy was 1105 two years ago. The state and district average was about 100 points less.
Lastly, I wills ay that poverty has an effect on students, but ti DOES NOT handicap them. I will count my kids today and post my numbers to show what I have. I will also add a bit more as to why public schools are failing (and this will get worse soon in NC) amd why expectations are so important.
Obsession with Franklin Academy
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 22:00 — Solon77I am not sure what your obsession is with Franklin Academy. OK, so their SAT score is 1105. Enloe is 1191 and Raleigh Charter is 1252. Are Enloe and Raleigh Charter not good schools in your mind ? At a district level Franklin County 941, CMS 1,007 vs Wake 1,073.
First, obsession is in the
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 23:15 — willynillyFirst, obsession is in the eyes of the beholder. In my post I mentioned several schools (including Franklin Academy). I mentioned FA because many here say that FA does not do well. In my professional opinion I think they are right up there with the other schools, not an also ran.
Having said that, I interviewed with them twice. I was not impressed with their HR person at all. The first time I interviewed it was over the phone. This woman ate her lunch (VERY fresh vegetables in that salad I might add) while we talked. The second time I was applying for an 8th grade science opening. I taught all day. I drove for 45 minutes to get to the school. I got there 2 minutes before my interview. I was asked (by the same woman) if I'd be interested in a HS chem position. LOL When I told her I was certifed Science 6-9 only, she told me that it would not be a problem. I declined. Interesting huh?
I made mention of my teaching in a charter, East Wake Academy. My first year there I taught 8th grade science and social studies (yes, I am certified in both and NBPTS in Science for what that paper is worth). That was the first year data was given back on the science EOG. In the course of this year a girl earned a C in one quarter. It was not a close C. Her mother was on the board. Her mother wanted her to be on the honor role each and every year. The mother talked to the headmaster (who was quite enamored with himself) and asked that "Gwendolyn" have her grade changed. The head master emailed me and asked for this "favor." I refused. Talk about finding myself on the lit shist. Well, some rather interesting emails were exchanged (yeah, right? they left a paper trail, go figure) and when it was time for 8th grade graduation guess who was called to the podium as one of the students who made honor role all 3 years in middle school?
I was "under the gun" that whole next year. Parents complained because I had too high of an expectation. The "hatchet woman" of the school came into my room to observe me. I was called in (AGAIN) to the headmasters office with ALL the powers that be. Now funny. this "headmaster" NEVER told me what I needed to do, but I was always told that I needed to do BETTER. No real specifics. NOTHING ever in writing. However, you know what I found interesting? I was always asked to bring everything I do in my classes to these meetings. I gave them everything and they kept it. NOW I need to mention that in November of 2007 the results for the science test was made available. Only the percentages of pass were available. The IMPORTANT staff could not get the results. That was funny because Keung emailed me the results. LOL The previous year, while teaching BOTH social studies and science I still helped 72.4% of my students to pass the science EOG.
The end of this story gets better. I was given a letter, in May, that a decision was pending on me being rehired and they would tell me in JUNE. LOL As if I would wait. Fortunately I had already secured another teaching postion. But that is not the good part. I have been made aware that ALL the stuff I was doing with my students (literacy based instruction) was now being implemented (BY THE HAEDMASTER) and the use of such was being required. LOL
Why the long winded story? Well, never take what I say here to be any more than quoting numbers and statistics. FA does pretty well along with a lot of other schools. They all have their stories. They all have their issues. AND they all have one thing in common.....anyone that has success with anything is a danger to principals and headmasters and that will NOT be tolerated.
Have you ever worked at a
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 11:16 — danofncHave you ever worked at a school where you haven't bumped heads with administrators? At some point, shouldn't you consider the possibility that you are causing the problems?
Just as I
Sat, 09/11/2010 - 11:42 — willynillyJust as I thought...............you know, a few years ago I saw a boy come out of the bathroom at the school where I was teaching. He was all of 5'4" tall. He was usually dressed well with his shirt tucked in. As he exited the bathroom I noticed his clothing in disarray....shirt tail out. He was breathing hard and his nose was bleeding. I asked him whatw as wrong and he said he fell. I walked with him into the bathroom to get a paper towel to clean his nose. There were 4 or 5 boys in the bathroom and it became quite clear as to what had happened. These other boys were all over 5'8" because they were taller than me. I got this glimpse of these boys beating this little boy in the bathroom. The boy would never say anything as to what had happened. I called his mother and she said she would speak to her son. The next day she called back and said that nothing had happened and she was not worried.
You know, what I have posted on these blogs here is quite scary. Would you want to admit that your child may be in danger for their safety when they leave your home and go to school? Would any parent want to believe that their daughter is "being felt up" by boys in the school hallway? Would a teacher be the blame for reporting this and stirring up trouble in the school?
It's easy to think that there is no problem. It's easy to say, wow man, you must be pretty messed up because you can't go anywhere without running into trouble. That is the easy way out. There have been several teachers who blog here off and on that will also tell the truth. So ignore if you will and chalk it up to me and the other teaqchers here being s--t disturbers. Don't worry that your middle schooler is affraid to go to the bathroom during the school day. Don't worry that principals and teachers will do nothing to bullies so your child will be sacred to say anything about abuses. At least at most schools there are teachers who will speak out and risk their careers to do the right thing by these kids. There are teachers who will not put up with abuses.
Dana King taught me a very important lesson in 2000. At East Millbrook Middle I had put in my paperwork to be considered for experience time/years for my military service. I was teaching about physics of sound, the hydrosphere, computers etc. My 10+ years in the military was spent living IN the ocean, building and reparing computers and studying the physics of sound in the ocean.....among many other things. Central Office told me that what I had done in the military was not related to what I was teaching. I went back and forth with them for months. Fortunately I was working with a colleague with the last name of Ward who just happened to be the sister of Mike Ward, Ed guy for the state at that time. We were introduced and in 3 weeks I had been given 9 of my 10 years experience on my license due to the nature of the work I had done in the military. All it took was for the man who was handling this, Gordon Millspaugh, to look at the paperwork I had submitted and go the curriculum coordinator for the state. Almost everything I had done for the military was connected to what I was teaching. The woman I talked to at WCPSS told me that there was no way I could get any of my 4 years of time in the service as credit....I asked her, "What do you mean 4 years? I was in for over 10?" She told me, "No you weren't, it says 4 on your DD214." I went to Central Office and taught her how to read a DD214 to see where total years of service is located. How interesting that the person at WCPSS making these decisions do not even know how to read the documentation. The DD214 was one page, front only. Not too difficult.
So, the lesson Dana King taught me? I asked to be allowed to talk to someone at HR to make sure they would change the way they determined these "time in the military" issues. I was told, by Dana King, "You need to drop it, they know your name at Central Office."
There is very little room for anyone in the WCPSS who will stand up for themselves. And I do understand that anyone with children in the WCPSS will not want to meet me to see my documentation because that might mean that my accusations are true meaning you may have to accept the fact that your child MAY be enduring things at school you wish they were not.
Hmmmmmm,
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 18:49 — willynillyHmmmmmm, ok..............Keung, IF this guy emails you and you are pretty sure he is not a WCPSS employee please pass along my email to him. I am on a 2 week break starting September 17th. I will meet you in or near Raleigh at YOUR convenience.
The skills aquired from
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 11:58 — willynillyThe skills aquired from graduate school were skills that stood the test of time. Teaching the kids to read and write and do research in order to learn facts, not fantasies. I have often sat back and wondered why I seem to "rub people the wrong way" and I have to remember with whom I am working. I have met very few people that have any other experience than HS, college, teaching. They have never worked anywhere else. They live in this bubble.
I have refused to do things that have no proof of working. I have had administrators tell me to use things that have no proof of working and show damage to scores along the way. School report cards show that these schools do worse after a couple of years of, say, Middle Start philosophies in which all students get a C or higher and and can make up work any time they wish....even on the last day of school an assignment from the first day.
I make no apologies for fighting for my students. When I am asked to change a grade for no other reason than to help a board members daugther make honor roll I say no. When I have shown certain strategies to work I refuse to use something that does not.
Having been in the military I have rough edges, but most of the teachers with whom I have worked I have had great relationships with. When a etacher starts yelling into a hallway that the kids are f---ing stupid....and nothing happens to her because she is of the same political affiliation as the principal I call foul.
Now, on a personal response directly to you......dan......you like to flow the blame here, but have you ever accpeted my challenge to see what I have? To undersatand what the WCPSS can do? To try and understand why one would have the view I have? No, you have not. As always, I will be glad to show you at our convenience. Before the stones of blame fly.......be brave and take a look.
You are looking at the
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 09:50 — red_balloonYou are looking at the choices in terms of economic cost. In the N&O coverage of the July (?) downtown march, a parent with four kids reportedly commented on the magnet program as follows "we are huge fans of diversity". There is no doubt in my mind that for the tax money this parent contributes she is getting a tremendous return. This isn't the case for every parent.
Secondly, if you examine the choices in terms of growth in academic potential, WCPSS isn't anywhere on the radar (unless you are in an alternative universe and ensconed within a school-within-a-school) for kids with potential.
In sum, WCPSS is a choice when you have no choice.
No....
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 09:46 — Bob_SconceYou have the same guarantee of entry in Charter schools as you do in WCPSS magnets -- if there's space, you're in; if not, there's a lottery.
Private school tuitions have a huge range -- Thales is about $5K, which is quite inexpensive. Cary Academy is a lot more expensive. North Raleigh Christian, IIRC, offers scholarships to those who can't afford it.
As to variety of programs, private and charter schools have a wider variety of programs than standard public schools. Quest Academy (a charter), for example, is targetted toward students who are seriously involved in extra-curricular competition like gymnastics. Private schools have even more leeway -- they don't have to follow NC's horrendous Standard Course of Study.
And you haven't mentioned home schooling.
And depending on which
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 10:00 — jenmanAnd depending on which school you are assigned to, your chances of getting into a charter are better than your chances of getting into a magnet since the charter uses a true lottery.
“I'm concerned that it
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 08:25 — WhalerCaneUrban school district? LOL
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 20:12 — woodstockUrban school district? LOL Dude, you need to get out more.
He gets out on Wednesdays
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 21:35 — g88ky07Ya' no. Ya' no. Ya' no. Ya' no ...........
Wake, urban?
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 12:23 — AngelaWSchool District Geographic Characteristics
According to your post, I
Thu, 09/09/2010 - 14:08 — magnetParentAccording to your post, I would say Wake County schools is an Urban school district.
Additionally, the Council of Urban Boards of Education recognized Wake County :
"Also recognized were the Broward County School District in Florida as a finalist , while Baltimore City, Md., Wake County, N. C., and Jefferson County, Kentucky were recognized for progress and leadership, respectively. Hats off to all the outstanding urban districts!"
http://boardbuzz.nsba.org/blog/2009/10/atlanta-wins-award-for-urban-school-board-excellence/
As well as Richard Kahlenberg (http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2009/0909.kahlenberg.html ).
Even John Hood called Wake County an urban district: "Wake is the only urban school system in the state, and one of the few left in the nation, that engages in widespread forced busing. "
CUBE
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 06:39 — loriacCUBE recognizes Wake as an urban school district because we applied and paid to get this 'recognition'. (I'd still love to know how much we paid, and how many staff hours were used to submit the application. This is how the 'old' WCPSS was able to claim that Wake is a 'nationally acclaimed' school system.)
Irrelevant
Fri, 09/10/2010 - 07:30 — magnetParentWhether they paid to become a member of CUBE or got the recognition for free is irrelevant - they qualified to become a member. Its not like CUBE would allow a district like (for example) the Asheboro School district or the Caswell County School district to join. They don't qualify.
WCPSS is an Urban school district. Now, according to the characteristics provided by AngelaW, the classification of WCPSS within the Urban school district is most likely "Suburban", but not too far from "Central City".