RICHARD H. MOORE

KITTRELL

What he says:

* Cut the drop-out rate in half.

* Introduce innovative measures to entice qualified professionals to pursue a career in teaching with a focus on placing them in the communities with the greatest needs.

* Increase accountability to improve performance statewide.

What he has done:

* Established the Teacher Mortgage Program, which helped teachers purchase their first homes by buying down interest rates.

* Worked with Sen. Kay Hagan to support legislation requiring school districts to teach financial literacy in high school.

DENNIS NIELSEN

NASHVILLE

What he says:

* Give tax credits to those who home-school their own children.

* Give money to parents who want to educate their children in private schools.

What he has done:

* Coached youth basketball and soccer.

* Former flight instructor

Research and Information Compiled by Reporters Kinea White-Epps, T. Keung Hui, and Sam Wineka, and Researcher Becky Ogburn

BEV PERDUE

NEW BERN

What she says:

* Raise teacher salaries to the point that they are competitive with pay in comparable professions.

* Create North Carolina Promise -- making a promise to students that a lack of family income will not be a barrier to earning a college degree.

* Have access to broadband learning online for every student.

What she has done:

* Former public school teacher

* Supported teacher pay increases.

* Led efforts to increase nutrition standards and physical activity requirements in public schools.

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