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RALEIGH – The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools released its first state-by-state review of charter school laws. The report ranked North Carolina 32nd out of 40 state. The main criticism was the state's cap on the number of charter schools at 100.

Darrell Allison, the president of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, agreed with the study. His concern centered on what it meant for the state's application for federal Race to the Top funds.

Officials have said North Carolina could receive as much as $400 million in stimulus money. Allison pointed out that other states have made changes in regard to their laws and practices about charter schools.

"Our concern is where North Carolina's going to fall in that," he said.

State education leaders have said capping the number of charter schools helps them focus on their quality. They have also pointed to other types of innovative education programs North Carolina has in place that could help bolster the state's application.

Michael Pratt, the headmaster of Rocky Mount Preparatory School, said more quality charter schools would benefit the state. He said his school boasts a 100 percent college admission and acceptance rate for the last five graduating classes. His student body is comprised of 60 percent of kids who qualify for free and reduced lunch. He said most people tell him they want to attend his school for the college prep education.

"But they never hesitate to say it's safe, it's clean, and it's well organized and the children are respectful," he added.

State lawmakers are also closely watching how North Carolina does once it submits the Race to the Top application next week. If the charter school laws are a factor in how the state fares, there may be new life to a LINK='http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2009&BillID=H856'>bill that passed from the House to the Senate last May which would raise the cap.

"I think we now have the wind at our backs to get the General Assembly to get through this and maybe even go further than our proposed bill," said Rep. Thom Tillis, of Mecklenburg County. "If you take the look at the mood of Washington and the direction from Washington, they're saying, 'Get rid of caps, have the right governance process, but try to get these choices out there for the students and for the families.'"