CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- North Carolina has completed work on its plan for a strong state accountability system aligned with the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) of 2001, U.S. Under Secretary of Education Eugene Hickok announced today.

On behalf of U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige, Hickok made the announcement at Merry Oaks International Academy in Charlotte. U.S. Rep. Robin Hayes and Mike Ward, North Carolina state superintendent, joined Hickok at the event.

"North Carolina has been on the cutting edge of school reform for some time, and you have reason to be proud of the bold steps that you have taken. The state's robust accountability system -- strong on inclusion of students with disabilities and those with limited English proficiency -- and your effective data collection system, underscore North Carolina's commitment to quality education and No Child Left Behind. I applaud Superintendent Ward for his leadership."

Under NCLB's strong accountability provisions, states must describe how they will close the achievement gap and make sure all students, including disadvantaged students, achieve academic proficiency. In addition, they must produce annual state and school district report cards that inform parents and communities about state and school progress. Schools that do not make progress must provide supplemental services such as free tutoring or after-school assistance, take corrective actions and -- if still not making adequate yearly progress after five years -- must make dramatic changes to the way the school is run.

North Carolina is the 12th state to gain approval. Other states whose plans have been approved include Colorado, Delaware, Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, New York, Ohio and West Virginia.

No Child Left Behind is the landmark education reform law designed to change the culture of America's schools by closing the achievement gap, offering more flexibility, giving parents more options and teaching students, based on what works. Foremost among the four key principles is an insistence on stronger accountability for results. To achieve that, states must develop strong accountability systems or improve those already in place, establish high standards and hold all children to the same standards. They also must provide instruction by highly qualified teachers that results in steady progress and, ultimately, proficiency for all students by the 2013-14 school year.

Secretary Paige recently asserted that the new law aims to correct the "previous and pervasive separate and unequal education systems that taught only some students well while the rest -- mostly poor and mostly minority -- floundered or flunked out."

All states submitted draft accountability plans to the U.S. Department of Education by the Jan. 31 deadline. Following an initial review and technical assistance, if needed, the next step was an on-site peer review of each state's proposed accountability plan. Teams of three peer reviewers -- independent, nonfederal education policy, reform or statistical experts -- conducted each peer review. Following a review of the team's consensus report, the department provides feedback to the state and works to resolve any outstanding issues. Ultimately, U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige approves the state plan, as he did for North Carolina.

To date, all states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have had peer reviews of their accountability plans. Additionally, the senior staff of the Department of Education has met with education officials from the states to discuss the specifics of their plans and the unique challenges and issues in each state.

Despite all the priorities competing for our tax dollars, President Bush's budget boosts federal education funding to $53.1 billion -- an $11 billion increase since the president took office. North Carolina alone will receive more than $1.1 billion, including $423 million to implement NCLB. If the president's budget is approved, federal education funding for North Carolina will have gone up $255.5 million since he took office.

North Carolina's plan will be posted online in the coming days at: http://www.ed.gov/offices/OESE/CFP/csas/index.html.

For more information about the No Child Left Behind Act, go to www.nochildleftbehind.gov.

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