RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Mike Easley and State Superintendent Mike Ward unveiled the second annual statewide school report card Thursday at Powell Elementary School in Raleigh.

"Parents and community members need information about how their schools are doing so that they can do a better job supporting schools," Easley said. "I believe these report cards will empower parents and communities and engage them more deeply in school improvement efforts across North Carolina."

The report cards give information about an individual school's performance, class size, teacher quality, safety, and access to books and technology for the 2001-02 school year.

Performance results come from the state's accountability program. Class size data comes from the school districts and teacher quality information comes from the state's teacher licensure data.

This year, report cards for charter schools and school districts are included for the first time. Easley's statewide school report cards satisfy federal requirements on report cards in the No Child Left Behind Act.

"We're pleased to be a partner in producing these report cards for schools, districts and the state," Ward said. "These report cards should spark conversations among parents, educators and community members about resources and how they are used at all of our schools. Our students will be better served by this increased communication."

Principals from across the state are sending the North Carolina school report cards home with students.