"They met Thursday at Knightdale Town Hall to discuss why poverty and suspension rates are higher in eastern Wake County schools, while test scores are lower."

Let's start with conducting an information collection process where parent involvement and education are figured into the equation. Also, what activities you let your child participate in, what their homes schedules are like, their friends and their records, how much tv, phone, and internet time they spend, interests, failures, economic challenges, developmental challanges, your parenting style, how responsible parents are, how integrity, responsibility, honesty are taught in the home, parent and student physc. evalutatins..... and on, and on, and on.

My point is if you people want change you must first identify what does and does not need to be changed for yourselves and your children so they may be better equiped to perform in both school and life. Some changes are more important than others, but #1 is parent involvement.

"I graduated from Knightdale High in 2007, went on to ECU to obtain a Bachelor of Science. It is not the schools. It is the kids and the parents. End of Story. In reality, parents think that their children are God sent angels and would never disrespect a teacher or do something that would get them suspended. Take a step back and examine your self before you go acusing somebody else."

And from a fellow Pirate I say: You make both schools look bad with your grammar and spelling. LOL Though I do agree with what you said.

I thought bussing kids all over the county got rid of this? Where's Mr. Barber? I agree with so many others....stop expecting the school to raise your children.

Need better students first, parents need to get involved with their kids early. But that might require better parents.

If a school isn't up to par, it is 10% school resources to blame and 90% the quality of students and parents. If they want better schools, it starts with parents like these that care and want to make a difference. Don't look to the government to solve this problem. Look to your peers.