Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, NC) - "How innovation could help N.C. schools get federal money; $250 million at stake for our schools in 'Race to the Top' program."

By Keith Burnam (op-ed) | November 12, 2009

From Keith Burnam, founder and school leader, KIPP Charlotte:

If the Panthers' struggles have got you down this season, and the Hurricanes aren't lifting your spirits either, there's another great race warming up across the state that should get everyone fired up and cheering. North Carolina is favored to prevail and a victory on the scoreboard would mean a huge, historic win for our state's children.

I'm talking about "Race To the Top," an innovative federal grant program where states are competing to win a share of more than $4.35 billion set aside for education reform. A successful application by the team of experts assembled by Gov. Bev Perdue could mean as much as $250 million to help improve schools in North Carolina in time for the 2010-2011 academic year.

N.C. is in the running

Race to the Top targets four key areas that can drive change in our education system: great teachers and leaders, strong standards and assessments, student data systems and turning around struggling schools. So far, the odds look good for North Carolina to win a grant through Race to the Top. National observers like The New Teacher Project have ranked North Carolina as one of only a handful of "competitive" states to win in Race to the Top. And we're already ahead on collecting student achievement data, with a system that is a model for other states.

As the founder and principal of KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) Charlotte charter school, I can tell you that a successful Race to the Top effort in North Carolina would make a huge difference for our kids, especially those in underserved neighborhoods.

All kids can learn, with help

I first started teaching in Durham through Teach For America, the national program that places recent college graduates in high-need schools. In 2007, I founded Charlotte's first KIPP school after working at KIPP Gaston College Prep in Northampton County and seeing the impact of high expectations on kids in a rural community. Through my experience with KIPP, I've come to realize that all children can and will learn, if they have the right support from teachers.

So how can North Carolina win with Race to the Top? We could start by lifting the cap on high-performing public charter schools like KIPP so we can spread innovation throughout the state. We could also create more pipelines for professional advancement for teachers and principals to attract and retain the best talent in our classrooms.

As citizens of North Carolina, we can support Gov. Perdue's effort by encouraging our legislators to take action and align our state policy with the federal government's reform effort. We need to get on board if we are going to stay in the game over the long term. So I hope you'll grab your pompoms and join this important effort because this is no time to be on the sidelines. With the future of our children and our economy at stake, we ALL need to get involved.

KIPP is committed to a policy of equal treatment for all individuals. KIPP does not discriminate on the
basis of race, color, gender, handicap, age, religion, sexual orientation, national, or ethnic origin.