N.C. leaders travel to Washington to seek school grants

RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Bev Perdue and state school officials spent Tuesday morning trying to convince a federal panel that North Carolina deserves to receive one of the federal government's "Race to the Top" school reform grants.

Perdue, Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson and State Board of Education Chairman Bill Harrison lead a group to explain and defend the state's proposal before a selection committee in Washington.

“We were interviewed by a team of people from across the country who asked very probing, good questions,” Perdue said after arriving back in Raleigh on Tuesday afternoon. “We feel very hopeful.”

North Carolina was one of 16 states named finalists for more than $4 billion in grants to reward states using innovative ideas to improve student performance. The finalists were invited to Washington.

The committee will submit scores to U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan for the final selection in April.

North Carolina applied for $469 million over four years in part to expand computer-based assessments of students.

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I called the governors office yesterday about the tax refund issue..got a great run around..amazing that we can finance all of these trips for Bev when she makes almost triple the amount of salary that I do, definitely does less work then I do, has less education then I do too...BUT THEY CANT AFFORD TO PAY ME MY HARD EARNED 491.00????? Really...this state is BACKWARDS. The citizens are the ones that matter...why don't you take a salary cut to pay me my $$ that you STOLE from me

krazikatt2
March 17, 2010 10:15 a.m.

time4real, your comments make no sense, you must not have gone to school in Wake County. From what I think you are saying, you don't want her to try for grant money for our schools? You are the one constantly complaining about the schools budget cuts, now you are complaing that she is trying to get money for our schools? You are also one that did not care that our school system aborted the school project in Rolesville wasting 15 mil. Make up your mind. Do you ever post positive comments?

Remy
March 17, 2010 10:06 a.m.

"free money"?

like the "free money" that she got from Obama 2 years ago for education that goes away next year and you either get to pay for it, to make up for that money train going over the cliff, or cut 30+ million in the programs and jobs it supposedly saved.

which works better for you, now or later?

time4real
March 16, 2010 5:20 p.m.

I don't get all the complaining here...it's free money, I applaud her for trying to get it. After all, it is going to go to someone! Why not NC?

Remy
March 16, 2010 4:17 p.m.

Actually miketroll, the state has been run by Dems for the past 170 years. Yes we have had a couple of Republican Governors, but the House and Senate have been Dems forever. Now up until about 30 or so years ago, they were Dixiecrats who at least were fairly finacially conservative. The last 30 (plus) years have been Liberal Democrats and very liberal the last 15 years.