RALEIGH, N.C. — A group has been keeping its own report card of how Wake County schools are doing. On Tuesday, group members released their findings.

The

Wake Education Partnership

contacted 650 random households to determine where the schools stand with the community.

"Indeed, citizens of Wake County enjoyed one of the country's most accomplished public school systems," said Bob Saffold, president of the Wake Educational Partnership. "This community assessment is a study of community perceptions."

Fifty-four percent of those polled give Wake County schools a grade of A or B. The new percent is up from 41 percent two years ago.

The numbers are mixed when it comes to issues of overcrowding and reassignment. Sixty-five percent of respondents say schools are overcrowded. While 60 percent agree with reassignment, 69 percent believe students should attend the school closest to their home, regardless of overcrowding.

Fifty-four percent of respondents say Wake County schools are improving, which is up 20 percent from two years ago.