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Parent urges clearer magnet-school access for students on extended-content standards
Summary
A parent representing families of students on extended content standards told the Wake County Board of Education that current magnet tours and communications leave those families uninformed and excluded, and requested several specific changes to improve access and transparency.
A Wake County parent urged the Board of Education on Jan. 21 to improve how magnet school options are communicated and to create a specific pathway for families of students served under extended-content standards (ECS).
"Families like mine deserve to know our options, meet staff, and understand how schools will support our children," said Naisha Frey, who described her daughter Molly, a student with Down syndrome, and recounted multiple school tours where ECS needs were not addressed.
Why it matters: Frey said the magnet admission and tour process can leave ECS families feeling dismissed or excluded, which she said limits their ability to choose appropriate placements for children with significant support needs.
What the parent asked for
Frey asked the board to take four steps: create a clear pathway for ECS families in the magnet process; update websites and tour materials to include ECS information; allow families to observe classrooms outside instructional hours; and provide staff training on inclusive communication. She described contrasting experiences during tours: "At Carnegie Middle School, I was told abruptly and in front of my daughter that my questions about ECS programming wouldn't be addressed. At Ligon Middle School, the special education administrator joined the tour and made me feel respected, but program classrooms were inaccessible during the tour."
Board response and next steps
No formal board action was taken during the meeting. The parent asked the board to adopt the four measures to increase transparency and access; she was cut off at the three-minute public-comment time limit and told she could submit written comments to the board.
Ending
Frey urged the board to create clear communications and engagement steps so ECS families can make informed choices about magnet schools and avoid being excluded from school visits and materials.
