North Carolina is one of 19 finalists competing for a share of $3.4 billion in grants to improve education, U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan announced Tuesday.
Under the state's proposal to win the grants, North Carolina could remove principals from low-performing schools that don't improve and would build networks of schools focused on math and science. The state would also create training for new teachers modeled after the Teach for America program, which recruits top college graduates to teach in poor schools.
In its application for $400 million over four years, the state proposes wide-ranging advances intended to lift student test scores, boost high school graduation rates and make graduates better prepared for college work.
Being named a finalist "is a tremendous recognition of the work we are doing here in North Carolina to ensure that all of our children have access to the best possible public education," Gov. Bev Perdue said in a statement. "We continue to push for high standards in all public schools."
This will be the state's second attempt at winning the federal money and bragging rights. North Carolina was a finalist in the first round and ultimately came in 12th. Only two states, Delaware and Tennessee, won in the first round.
North Carolina may have a better chance this time because Duncan has said the winners circle will expand to 10 or more states.
State representatives will travel to Washington during the week of Aug. 9 to answer questions from an interview panel. Winners will be announced in September, according to the U.S. Department of Education.
Since losing in the first round, the state moved to beef up its proposal. The state won points on its application by adopting national curriculum standards, and passed a law allowing school districts to start charter schools without having those schools count against the state's 100-charter limit.
The state has set targets for student improvement that include an increase in the graduation rate to 85 percent in 2016, up from about 72 percent last year. Also, the state aims to raise scores on national reading and math tests by 14 points over six years and reduce the proportion of university and community college freshmen enrolled in remedial courses.
North Carolina's application proposes a range of strategies for achieving the improvements. For example, in the 132 schools in which more than half of students fail state tests, local districts may have to agree to hand over control of those schools to the State Board of Education.
To get new teachers to work in low-performing schools, the state will provide them with tuition money to get master's degrees, forgive their student loans or offer them housing.
To replicate the Teach for America program, which North Carolina considers a success, the state proposes to start its own N.C. Teacher Corps that would have new teachers in public schools by next year.
