Raleigh – Gov. Bev Perdue this weekend mailed North Carolina’s completed application for funds from the federal “Race to the Top” initiative.  As part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Race to the Top is a federal $4.5 billion competitive grant fund that rewards states for educational innovation and achieving significant improvements in student performance.  North Carolina’s application requests approximately $469.5 million in federal funds to be spent over four years.

 “As a national leader in educational innovation, I’m confident that North Carolina is in a good position to receive Race to the Top funding,” said Perdue.  “I’m excited about the opportunities this funding will create toward reaching my goal of preparing every student to graduate high school ready for a career, college or technical training.”

 As part of the application process, 100 percent of North Carolina’s Local Education Agencies (LEAs) signed on to participate in Race to the Top.  That means that 100 percent of superintendents, local school board chairs and the presidents of the local teacher associations agreed to be partners in this effort.  The application was also signed by Gov. Perdue, Chair of the State Board of Education Dr. Bill Harrison, and State Superintendent June Atkinson.

 In addition to 100 percent participation from LEAs, numerous education leaders from around the state have signed letters of support of North Carolina’s Race to the Top application.  See the list at the end of the release.

 “I’m encouraged that so many education leaders – parents and teachers, superintendents and local school boards, elected officials and our colleges and universities – have signed on to our Race to the Top application.  It will take cooperation on all levels to achieve significant improvements in student performance,” said Perdue.

 North Carolina’s application, as required, assessed the state’s current education reform efforts and presented a comprehensive plan for improving student outcomes in four areas:

 ·         Internationally-benchmarked standards and assessments;

·         Development of data systems that measure success and improve instruction;

·         Supporting effective teachers and leaders; and

·         Turning around low-performing schools.

 Gov. Perdue’s Career and College – Ready, Set, Go! agenda has North Carolina already working on higher standards, better curriculum, new diagnostic assessments to help keep students achieving at or above grade level, developing great teachers and school leaders, and improving low-performing schools.

According to the National Governors Association, Gov. Perdue is the first governor in the nation to direct state educational governing boards to adopt the National Common Core standards, so that they may work together to reach the goal of preparing every student to graduate from high school ready for a career, college or technical training.

 The U.S. Department of Education is expected to award the first Race to the Top grants this spring.