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

"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. The Governor'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. "Student testing data has been available since our ABCs program began, but we know that school quality is much broader than test scores alone.

"Important information about our schools is now available in one place. 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.