http://66.225.205.104/LM20100825.mp3
North Carolina is among nine states to win federal Race to the Top funds aimed at reforming public schools. North Carolina's share of the money will be $400 million distributed over four years. This is the second round of the competitive grant program the Obama administration has dubbed "Race to the Top." Earlier this year in the first round of awards only two states made the cut. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan says the second time around many states strengthened their applications. "Many of them have adopted new laws to support their policy," says Duncan. "All of them have adopted common rigorous college and career ready standards in reading and math." North Carolina did not make the first round of awards. Since then the state improved its standing by lifting a cap on charter schools. Governor Bev Perdue says the money will pay for recruiting and retaining quality teachers and administrators, crafting a turnaround plan for struggling schools and improving technology for assessing students' needs. For more click here.