N.C. Schools Get Report Cards

The report card includes information about student performance, class size, school safety and teacher quality in your child's school.

"The school report cards provide important information for parents about how their schools are performing," Easley said. "We must continue to do what we can to keep our parents informed and involved. When parents are actively involved, children are more likely to succeed."

"These report cards will help parents, teachers, and administrators focus on areas to improve the learning environment of students," said interim state Superintendent Patricia Willoughby. "I also hope that they will bring greater accountability in education and a stronger commitment to parental involvement in the day-to-day operation of our schools."

In grades 3 through 8, students participating at or above grade level on end-of-grade tests went from 79 percent last year to 80 percent this year.

Another area that showed signs of improvement was in the category of safe, orderly and caring schools. Eighty-three percent of families said they felt welcomed at school, which is up 1 percent since last year.

The state's report card suggests the number of licensed teachers in North Carolina has increased since last year, along with their salaries. The state's average of $43,000 is still $2,000 less than the national average and ranks 22nd in the nation.

"As we put more demands on teachers, as teachers become more difficult to attract and retain, we are going to have to pay more and that is going to be nationwide, I believe," Easley said.

Schools will send the state's report card home with students. Easley also announced a partnership among the North Carolina Library System to help spread word about school report cards to the public. Libraries across the state will be displaying posters and handing out bookmarks informing citizens of the report cards.