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CG: Yes. The diversity plan in Wake is an offshoot of the correlation between lower incomes and lower academic performance. More than half of the children in Orlando schools qualify for free or reduced lunch. The newest areas in Orlando often have higher-income families. Many of those schools, like the ones in Avalon Park, have high test scores. Avalon Elementary was the highest-scoring elementary in the district. In this series, we didn't explore the educational effects of housing patterns or neighborhood schools. Also notice that we didn't talk much - if at all - about the racial breakdowns of these districts or individual schools.

Moderator: You visited this school district in person. Any surprises? And what was the quality of the learning environment?

CG: First, there is major racial diversity districtwide. Basically 35 percent white, 29 percent Hispanic, 28 percent black and 6 percent Asian and other races.

Orlando also has some large schools, but there are strategies that allow the kids to break down into smaller groups with clusters of teachers.

One plus to big schools is that you can have incredible programs. At Timber Lake High, there's a world languages program that offers Spanish, French and other foreign languages as well as American Sign Language and will add Mandarin Chinese next year.

It's not fair to comment on the quality of the learning environment without spending a lot of time in school. Timber Lake's principal also told me that it's hard to retain teachers, with so many new schools and with so many options for teachers. There's a lot of turnover at some schools and even some principals like to leave their current school and try their hand at opening a new one. And there will be dozens of opportunities to do that in Orlando's future.

Moderator: What has been the general reaction of parents or students to the choices Orange County schools have made for dealing with growth?

CG: A lot of people don't agree, but they understand. Residents have chosen to live there, their children need to be educated and they want a good education in a brick-and-mortar school, not a portable.

Moderator: Anything else you'd like to hit on before we wrap up?

CG: I'm hoping that this series sparks discussions about how to catch up and get ahead of growth in Wake County. I look forward to any responses from parents, developers, policy makers, politicians and even students -- and Tim and I welcome their ideas for future stories.

Moderator: Thanks, Cindy.

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