Created: 11/30/2009 8:49:39 PM 
Raleigh, N.C. -- Gov. Beverly Perdue says school districts would be well served to agree formally to support North Carolina's efforts to receive federal stimulus money for education reform. Perdue told local school superintendents meeting Monday in Raleigh they need to act fast if the state wins next year a portion of more than $4 billion in "Race to the Top" competitive grants. The districts would get some of the award. The grants are designed to reward states that carry out programs the Obama administration says will improve student test scores and graduation rates and narrow the achievement gap. Perdue said district leaders need to sign a memo with the local representative of the North Carolina Association of Educators by mid-January saying they will carry out the state's proposal.
Associated Press
