NC schools receiving $13.5M in federal grants

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — North Carolina is receiving $13.5 million from the federal government to help transform its lowest-performing schools.

The News & Observer of Raleigh reports that North Carolina’s grant is the largest among seven receiving states. The latest round of school improvement grants is aimed at turning around schools with low scores and high poverty rates. The other states splitting $43.4 million are Arkansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Wisconsin.

North Carolina state Superintendent June Atkinson says schools must apply for the money through a competitive process. The winners could begin receiving the money next school year.

Since 2010, North Carolina has designated $143 million in federal school improvement grants to 61 schools.

Atkinson says 118 schools statewide are consistently low-performing.

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