‘Raising expectations.’ Wake students’ proficiency rates rise again, new testing data shows

Key Points:

• Wake County Public School students have shown significant improvement in proficiency across subjects following declines during the COVID-19 pandemic, with two-thirds to three-quarters now passing end-of-grade and end-of-course exams according to North Carolina Department of Public Instruction data.
• Proficiency rates have risen notably in reading (65.7%), math (68.8%), science (fifth and eighth grade), biology, English II, and high school Math 3, surpassing pre-pandemic levels in many areas.
• Knightdale Elementary School, historically low-performing and serving many economically disadvantaged and English-learning students, saw major gains in reading and math proficiency after implementing structured lesson plans and increased small-group and individual support.
• Teachers at Knightdale emphasize intentional instruction, data-driven planning, goal-setting, and building strong relationships with students to foster perseverance and engagement, contributing to improved academic outcomes.
• Parents and students have praised the personalized support from teachers, highlighting how tailored teaching strategies and encouragement have helped students overcome challenges and feel cared for in their learning environment.