North Carolina is keen on getting a piece of the $4 billion the federal government will give states that show that they are interested in school innovations that improve education.

The grant, a program called "Race to the Top" represents "an incredible opportunity, especially in these economic times," Bill Harrison, chairman of the State Board of Education, said Monday.

About 150 people, including state Department of Public Instruction staff, academics from the universities, representatives from Gov. Beverly Perdue's office, foundations, nonprofits, professional organizations, and local school districts have done some work getting the state ready to apply for the money, Lynn Bonner reports.

With all the interest, the state board will consider changing a policy on teacher evaluations that could kick North Carolina out of the running.

The state board will talk today about altering or rescinding a policy prohibiting local school districts from using a measure of teacher effectiveness in their evaluations.
According to the grant eligibility requirements, states cannot prohibit linking information on student achievement or student growth to teacher or principals' evaluations.

Another state law, the one capping public charters at 100 schools, could hurt the state's chances.

Federal Education Secretary Arne Duncan has repeatedly said that states with limits on charter schools will be at a "competitive disadvantage" when it comes to getting money.

House and Senate Republicans made raising the charter cap a priority in this year's legislative session. A bill to raise the cap stalled in the Senate.

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U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan today started the states' competition for a share of $4.35 billion in "Race to Top" grants.

The money is meant to spur innovations and improvements in public education.
The states have been talking about the money for months, ever since the money was included in the federal stimulus bill, Lynn Bonner reports. The Gates Foundation has agreed to help North Carolina with its application.

In a webinar with district superintendents this week, state Superintendent June Atkinson said North Carolina will put together a strong application.

But the question whether the state's cap on charter schools would be an impediment lingers.

For weeks, Duncan has said that states that limit charter schools would be at a disadvantage, and he repeated that twice Friday.

States that "cap the number of charter schools or don't hold them accountable will be at a competitive disadvantage," Duncan said.

At the superintendents' webinar Thursday, Lee County superintendent Jeff Moss had asked Atkinson if North Carolina's cap of 100 schools would hurt.

Atkinson said the charter school cap is "not a deal breaker."

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