Perdue's Career and College: Ready, Set, Go! Funded by Race to the Top Gran

Press Release

Governor Bev Perdue today announced North Carolina will receive approximately $400 million in federal Race to the Top grant money. The award will fund continued implementation of Perdue's Career and College: Ready, Set, Go! program, including:

* recruiting and retaining quality teachers and administrators,
* a comprehensive turnaround plan for low performing schools, and
* 21st century technology for assessing students' needs.

"North Carolina's children today are one step closer to being guaranteed the best public education possible -- something every child deserves. This grant will give us the resources to more aggressively implement our plan to ensure that all of our children graduate ready for a career, college or technical training," said Gov. Perdue.

"It won't matter where they live; it won't matter what their school looks like; it won't matter what their parents do for a living. What will matter is that North Carolina leaders have joined together to support the best and most innovative approaches to public education this state has seen in a decade. I thank Sec. Duncan for recognizing North Carolina's ability to lead in education reform, and I thank everyone who worked so hard to make this possible," said Perdue.

Gov. Perdue led the application process and the team that traveled to Washington, D.C., earlier this month to interview with federal decision makers. Joining her were State Board of Education Chair Dr. Bill Harrison, State School Superintendent June Atkinson, Executive Director of the North Carolina Association of School Administrators Dr. Bill McNeal, and Executive Director of the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation Glenn Kleimann.

"This is an incredible opportunity for the boys and girls in North Carolina," said Board Chairman Dr. Harrison. "It will allow us to accelerate implementation of the governor's Career and College: Ready, Set, Go initiative. I appreciate the many supporters across the state who played such a vital role in crafting this winning proposal."

"This will allow North Carolina to continue the tradition of being a leader in public education," said Superintendent Atkinson. "Through collaboration with state and local leaders, we are committed to putting every dime of the Race to the Top money to the best use possible for students."

Education leaders across the state stepped up with their support of the round two Race to the Top application, and the General Assembly passed legislation aimed at better arming local school districts to implement the plan. Sherri Strickland, president of the North Carolina Association of Educators, said, "I am proud of the work each NCAE local leader did with local superintendents and school boards to make North Carolina's Race to the Top award possible. NCAE looks forward to continuing this partnership with Governor Perdue, Superintendent Atkinson and local school systems as we make this grant work for North Carolina students and educators."

The Race to the Top award will be overseen by Dr. Harrison and the State Board, and Superintendent Atkinson will be responsible for implementing the approved program.

"In recent days North Carolina has benefitted from significant federal investments in education," said Perdue. "Now we must put those new resources to good use -- quickly, with the utmost efficiency and accountability, and with an eye toward our one common goal: preparing every child for their 21st century futures."

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