RALEIGH, N.C. — Teachers and other school and community leaders are forming a united front. They want the General Assembly and Gov. Mike Easley to push for changes to the

No Child Left Behind

legislation.

"It's a huge concern for us because we want our children to succeed, and we do not want some federal motto to cause some children to be left behind," said Carolyn McKinney, president of

North Carolina Association of Educators

.

The legislation seeks to improve students' achievements. But local educators say there is not enough funding or flexibility for the plan. They also believe students with special needs should be assessed differently, and licensing requirements for teachers will make the state's teacher shortage even worse.

There were other educational issues confronting state lawmakers on Wednesday. The legislature heard a push to increase the number of charter schools in North Carolina.

Plus, the topic of pay raises for teachers and state employees gained some momentum. Under

Easley's budget plan

, teachers and state workers would get a 2 percent raise, but a bill introduced Wednesday would provide a 5 percent raise.