North Carolina's school accountability program, the ABCs of Public Education, provides a lot of important information about schools. But these numbers only tell part of the story and they are not available for K-2 schools. Other indicators of school quality are also important to parents and the community. This information is now in one place, on the North Carolina School Report Card.

Governor Mike Easley is committed to providing parents with more information about schools. He believes that well-informed parents will be empowered and more involved with their children's learning and their schools. In addition, the new federal No Child Left Behind act requires schools to issue report cards.

Report cards are issued by the state for charter schools, regular schools, and alternative schools. Some of the laws related to charter schools and data collection methods will result in a number of places on our report card where N/A (Not Available) is listed (specifically in the technology area). In addition, limited teacher quality data are available at the state level for charter school staff. We are working with the state to improve data collection so more information can be shared in the future.

The numbers only tell part of the story. At our school, we are proud of the following special activities that are underway:

• An addition of over 10,000 square feet is under construction. When completed in early 2004, it will include a library/media center, computer lab, classrooms, offices, cafeteria and kitchen.
• We acquired the Waterford Early Reading Program and the Waterford Early Math and Science Program for a 6-computer station and an 8-computer station lab.
• Through E-rate funding, we are acquiring a T1 line, a telephone system that provides 6 lines and voice mail for all staff, a terminal server and wireless network.
• A grant from the Oracle Help Us Help Foundation provided 15 computers and 3 laser printers for our computer labs.
• We are continuing Choice Theory training for the staff as we move toward becoming a Quality School.

The report cards are available on the Web at www.ncreportcards.org. Look at our school's full report card at this Web site, or read the two-page summary, called the Report Card Snapshot, that I've enclosed with this letter. The information in our school report card is from the 2002-03 school year.

At Highland Charter Public School, we want parents to be more informed about our school's progress and more involved in our school on a regular basis. Please feel free to contact me directly to discuss this report card or any other interests you have in our school. Thank you for allowing me to share this report card with you and thank you for supporting our efforts to provide your child with a high-quality education.

Sincerely,
Sherida Stevens, Director