This is the last year of a much-maligned system that made parents angry, caused teachers to complain that they had to “teach to the test,” and kept principals up nights worried about showing improvement. The ABCs are gone after Thursday. In its place is a new measuring stick that emphasizes national standards and students’ readiness for college and work. Read more about the changes here.
More political news:
--Michelle Obama attended a campaign rally in Greensboro, previewing her role at the Democratic National Convention, and then attended a fundraiser in Raleigh in which she defended her husband's administration.
--Even in the wake of last month’s Colorado shooting rampage and a gunman’s spree last year that nearly killed former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, don’t expect Democrats to arrive in Charlotte armed with renewed calls for tougher gun laws. The issue is too risky.
--From AP: Republican Party officials say they will not replace Rep. Stephen LaRoque after his indictment on theft charges. The News-Argus of Goldsboro reported party officials have concluded there is no reason to replace him before the November election.
--Gov. Bev Perdue on Wednesday cleared her desk of the final bills from the legislative session, signing three and letting the controversial sea-level legislation become law without her signature. A coalition of environmental groups and businesses had urged the governor to veto the sea-level bill and two of the other pieces of legislation, saying they benefitted only special interests.
--Diners flooded Chick-fil-A restaurants around the Triangle Wednesday as part of a national show of support after the company’s president came under fire for saying he opposed same-sex marriage.
--Duke Energy's two Carolinas utilities reported Wednesday that they have agreed with farm and renewable-energy groups to support a delay in a state mandate to make electricity from poultry and swine wastes. The mandate, spelled out in a 2007 law, goes into effect this year.
