The latest data about dropouts from North Carolina high schools include fresh evidence that students in the state's innovative high schools continue to be more engaged and on track when compared with their peers in many traditional schools.

Overall, innovative high schools in North Carolina remain a pace setter on this key indicator of student engagement. Among all 97 innovative high schools that were open this year and last, their combined dropout rate for the 2008-09 school year was 2.96 percent, according to an analysis by the North Carolina New Schools Project. That rate is down from 3.37 percent the year before and significantly lower than that the statewide rate of 4.27 percent.

Officials with the Department of Public Instruction reported to the State Board of Education last week that the state's overall dropout rate for 2008-09 -- a decrease from 4.97 percent the previous year -- was the lowest ever recorded in the state. The state's dropout rate in 1999-2000 was 6.43 percent.

The performance of intentionally smaller high schools -- such as those based on innovative models -- was cited among a number of factors contributing to that strong improvement.

Among the findings in NCNSP's analysis of the data are these:

Early college high schools continue to show particular strength in stemming dropouts. These facts stand out:

The 10 STEM schools, open for their second year in 2008-09 with a focus on science, technology, engineering and math, also lost few students as dropouts.

North Carolina's bid for a share of the $4.35 billion in federal money set aside for innovative education initiatives was among 16 finalists that are advancing to a round of final, in-person interviews next week in Washington.

North Carolina stands to gain as much as $400 million from the high-profile national competition, which the Obama administration is using as a key element in its education agenda.

States competing for Race to the Top funds are being judged on past education reform successes, as well as their strategies for making headway on four key fronts: standards tied to college and career readiness, teacher recruitment and development, improved data systems that support student learning, and turning around low performing schools.

The North Carolina New Schools Project was asked by Gov. Beverly Perdue to assist with the development of the state's proposal, particularly elements in the plan focusing on turning around low-performing schools by developing networks of schools that share the common theme of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan cautioned in announcing the finalists last week that many of them are likely to fall shy of the mark. Education Week reported that he said that no more than $2 billion will be divided among "very few winners" when the awards are decided next month.

The 15 finalist states, along with the District of Columbia, were chosen from a total of 41 first- round applicants.  The other states named as finalists were Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Tennessee.

Perdue said in a statement following last week's announcement that she welcomed the news but that the state must continue to pursue innovative approaches to education.

"This is encouraging news for education in North Carolina -- but our work isn't over," Perdue said. "Every child in this state must graduate prepared to go on to college, a career or technical training, and we can accomplish that through innovation and rethinking the way we track our students' progress.

"Race to the Top can help North Carolina move forward faster and more aggressively towards this goal.

"I'll be travelling to D.C. later this month to speak to Secretary Duncan and the selection committee and tell them why North Carolina needs - and deserves - the Race to the Top funds. Thank you to all of the educators, state and community leaders and others who have supported these efforts."

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A survey of  40,000 teachers nationwide finds that a majority of them think that at least a quarter of students leave high school less than prepared to succeed in a two- or four-year college.

The survey, commissioned by Scholastic and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, also found a troubling disconnect: Even as many teachers think too few students are graduating college ready, 93 percent of teachers believe that the most important goal for schools is to prepare students for more than high school graduation.

Compared to elementary school teachers, a smaller percentage of high school teachers said they think their current students could leave high school prepared to succeed in a two- or four-year college.

On a closely related question, four out of 10 teachers surveyed said their students entered their classrooms unprepared to do grade-level work. Teachers in North Carolina were among those from six states whose responses were at the low end of those who "strongly agree" that their students are prepared. The average for the six lowest states was 9 percent; the average for the six highest states on the question was 23 percent.

The survey also explored teacher opinions on topics that also included standards, assessment and pay issues. The responses were narrowed to these five broad recommendations:

The North Carolina New Schools Project joins with family, friends and colleagues of Kathy Taft in recognizing the tireless efforts and significant contributions she made during the 15 years she served on the State Board of Education.

State board chairman Bill Harrison and state superintendent June Atkinson said in statements after her death Tuesday that she played a vital role in strengthening North Carolina's public schools.

"I am greatly saddened to hear the news that longtime State Board of Education member and friend Kathy Taft passed away today. Ms. Taft has been an instrumental member of the State Board of Education for 15 years and a stalwart supporter of the 1.5 million public school students in our state," Harrison said. "Ms. Taft's service to the board and to the citizens of North Carolina has included many important milestones, such as the state's initial accountability model for schools, the development of charter schools and current efforts to ensure that our state prepares students for the 21st century.

"Our board and our state are diminished by the untimely death of this dedicated citizen."

Atkinson also cited her contributions, for the state's schools and for children:

"My heart is saddened by the death of State Board of Education member Kathy Taft. Ms. Taft devoted her life to improving educational opportunities for North Carolina's public school children. She was tireless in her duties on the board and often represented the board at the national, state and local levels. She was a strong advocate for high academic standards, strong services for gifted children and raising the educational standards for our state.

"Ms. Taft had a heart devoted to children and their best interests. We will miss her and will carry on her goal of ensuring that all children have the opportunities they need for success."

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North Carolina New Schools Project now has its own Facebook page.

If you are a Facebook user already, become a fan today and contribute to the conversation. If not, you can follow the page without joining Facebook, but you won't be able to post your comments or content.

Either way, please take a look here.

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