No Child Left Behind (NCLB) is a federal law
affecting every public K-12 school in the country. Key requirements of the law are:
closing achievement gaps, holding schools accountable for all students and having a
Highly Qualified teacher in every classroom. High standards are new for many states
but North Carolina has had a top-rated testing accountability program since
the implementation of the ABCs of Public Education in 1996. With the passage of NCLB
in 2001, the state also provides information about other academic indicators,
such as attendance and the Cohort Graduation Rates.
SAFE, ORDERLY, & CARING SCHOOLS
Every School Free of Drugs, Weapons, and Disruption
Target: NC will be among the top 5
states in freedom from drugs, weapons, violence, and teacher victimization
by students
Incidence of drugs, weapons, and violence
in NC's schools*
Latest NC Score
Prior NC Score
Change
NC Rank
US Average
Target Score
First
% of students offered, sold, or given an illegal
drug on school property last year*
33%
30%
19th
29%
19%
19% (MS,WY)
% of students carrying a weapon on school
property during the last 30 days*
5%
9%
Tied for 2nd
6%
5%
3% (WI)
% of students threatened or injured at school
during the last year*
8%
8%
Tied for 4th
9%
7%
6% (VT)
% of students involved in a physical fight
on school property during the last year*
11%
12%
Tied for 1st
13%
11%
11% (ME,
MI,NC,ND,
SD,WI)
% of teachers who report being threatened
or attacked in their school*
18%
19%
Tied for 46th
14%
10%
8% (CA,ND)
• In 2002-03, NC schools reported 6.6
incidents of crime or violence for every 1,000 students
Every School with Adequate Facilities and Materials
Target: Nine of 10 NC teachers will
report that facilities, equipment, and materials are adequate for
instructional purposes
Latest NC Score
Prior NC Score
Change
Percentage of teachers reporting that facilities,
equipment, and materials are adequate for instructional purposes
52%
48%
Target: NC schools will rank among
the top 10 states in access to technology
Latest NC Score
Prior NC Score
Change
NC Rank
US Average
Target Score
First
Students per Internet-connected computer*
7
9
Tied for 43rd
6
4
3 (SD)
Percentage of schools where at least half
of teachers use a computer daily for planning and/or teaching
86%
80%
19th
83%
90%
96% (VA)
Every Student Known and Cared For
Target: The average size of NC kindergarten
through 3rd grade classes will not exceed 18 students
Kindergarten
1st grade
2nd Grade
3rd Grade
Target Score K-3
Average size of classes in kindergarten through
3rd grade*
19
19
20
21
18
Target: NC will be among the top 10
states in reducing chronic absenteeism
Latest NC Score
Prior NC Score
Change
NC Rank
US Average
Target Score
First
Percentage of 8th graders missing 3 or more
days of school during the last month*
22%
18%
Tied for 17th
22%
21%
17% (ND)
• On average, 94% of NC students are
in attendance at school each day
Target: Nine of 10 parents will say
that their child is known and cared about as an individual in school
Latest NC Score
Prior NC Score
Change
Percentage of parents who report that their
child is known and cared about as an individual by his/her teachers
and principal
85%
79%
Every Family Welcomed
Target: Nine of 10 families will say
they feel welcomed and encouraged to participate in their children's
schools
Latest NC Score
Prior NC Score
Change
Percentage of families who feel welcomed and
encouraged to participate in their child's school
82%
80%
LEGEND
*
On this indicator a lower score is better,
a higher score is worse.
Latest NC Score:
This is the average score for North Carolina
taken from the most recent data collection available. Most recent
data collection dates range from 1996 to 2003.
Prior NC Score:
This is the average score for North Carolina
taken from the preceding data collection.
Change:
Change arrows show North Carolina's progress
from the prior data collection to the most recent data collection.
NC Rank:
North Carolina's rank among states for which
data are available. States are ranked from best to worst.
US Average:
This is the average score for the United States
taken from the most recent data collection available.
Target Score:
This is the score North Carolina currently
needs to achieve to reach the First in America target.
First:
The score and state abbreviation are listed
for the state receiving the best reported score.
