Cleveland, who is mom to a 5-year-old and is a preschool teacher herself, worries that schools are so concerned about meeting test goals that they are putting too much pressure on teachers and students to perform well.

Today's citizenQ outlines candidate's proposals and track records. We've focused on presidential, gubernatorial and superintendents in competitive primary races. But first, take a look at education issues facing North Carolina and the nation.

63.9 percent

Students in elementary and middle schools in North Carolina who passed both math and reading tests during the 2006-07 school year.

North Carolina saw the number of students passing end-of-grade tests slightly increase last year, up from 61.2 percent in 2005-06. The annual tests are also used to determine whether schools have met No Child Left Behind goals.

1.4 million

The number of students enrolled in school districts across the state.

Since 2000, North Carolina enrollment has increased by more than 160,000 students.

23,550

Students who dropped out of high school during the 2006-07 school year.

The dropout rate is one of the major issues candidates pledge to tackle. The number of students who left classrooms before graduation in North Carolina increased last year.

10,000

Average number of teachers needed each year in North Carolina.

North Carolina recruiters travel thousands of miles each year to hire teachers. N.C. colleges only produce about 3,300 teachers annually. Several initiatives are in place to attract more to teaching careers.