Poor schools are getting poorer, while the rich get richer, a new study from Duke University finds. “The average imbalance by race in North Carolina hasn’t really changed,” says Charles Clotfelter, a public policy professor who helped conduct the study. “North Carolina schools are becoming more imbalanced by economics than race. That’s something to worry […]
Will Huntsberry
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An exploration of conservative education reforms
In the Republican vision of education reform, the free market solves all problems. Parents can choose from public schools and charter schools, or even receive money to send their children to private school. Each school will provide a different educational focus and parents can choose what is best for their children. Republicans call it school […]
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Republicans propose eliminating income tax, expanding sales tax
Republican leaders believe North Carolina is sick and they have the cure. The most vital remedy, they believe, is tax reform. Personal and corporate income tax make up roughly 60 percent of annual state revenues. The plan is to eliminate these taxes, or at the very least, slash them drastically. Sen. Bob Rucho, R-Mecklenburg, who […]
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David Crabtree’s tepid interview of Tony Tata
During WRAL anchor David Crabtree’s interview of newly appointed Transportation Secretary Tony Tata earlier this week, Crabtree seemed star struck. Crabtree scored an exclusive interview with the retired US Army general, who was fired as Wake County schools’ superintendent late last year. It was Tata’s first interview since the incident. But, rather than questioning Tata […]
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Bad news for Raleigh’s school capacity
On Monday, Wake County commissioners voted to kill a proposal that would have created badly needed school capacity near downtown Raleigh. The commissioners considered buying the former YWCA building on East Hargett Street to convert into a school. It would have been a win for Raleigh considering city councilors are seeking to increase density in […]
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Eight candidates vie for Wake schools seat
When Democrats choose a new Wake County school board member later this month to replace outgoing Republican Chris Malone, they will have the opportunity to create a supermajority. Seven Democrats and one Republican applied for the vacancy earlier this month. Board members get testy when the media defines them by their party, since the board […]
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Community gardens get go ahead
Creating urban gardens on vacant lots in economically depressed areas of Raleigh will now be easier, after a City Council vote Wednesday. Progressive urban planning organizations maintain that community gardens can have a major impact, not only by creating additional food sources in areas with less access to grocery stores, but also by creating a […]
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Raleigh considers easing restrictions on urban gardens
What’s next? WHAT Raleigh City Council could ease restrictions on urban gardens WHEN Wednesday, Jan. 2, 1 p.m. WHERE 222 W. Hargett St. In Raleigh, The Wedge, named for the shape of its plot, is technically illegal. Community gardens such as this one are a sacred pillar of progressive urban planning, but Raleigh prohibits them […]
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Wake’s “new” assignment plan not really new
Read the headlines and stories from every major TV station as well as The N&O and you’ll see that the Wake school board passed a “new” student assignment plan Tuesday night. NBC-17: “Wake Co. school board adopts 3rd assignment plan in 3 years” But the plan’s not really new, which would make it more like […]
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News & Observer prepares pay wall to charge users for online access
[This article has been amended; see in-text clarification below.] Pay walls are an increasingly common strategy for old media. And beginning Dec. 19, visitors to The News & Observer website will be asked to pay after reading a limited number of articles for free. Newspapers are in desperate need of new ways to make money. […]