The Rev. William Barber, president of the state NAACP, is welcoming the new Wake County school board taking office today.
In a press release today, Barber writes that "we remain hopeful and optimistic for the new direction of the new Wake County School Board." He notes how the new Democratic majority has said it will review the new choice-based student assignment plan.
"The new majority seems to be willing to review and analyze the current plan," Barber says. "We hope that they will be use the standards of research, the law and lessons of history as opposed to a narrow-minded, regressive, political ideology that undermines public education rather than uplifting public education."
Barber says "any new plan that is implemented needs to surpass the nationally recognized and researched Gold Standard plan that existed prior to 2010." His release lists various concerns the NAACP has with the choice plan and urges the board to consider the guidance issued last week by the Obama Administration on promoting diverse schools.
