In the new “Report Card on American Education,” The American Legislative Exchange Council, or ALEC, praised North Carolina for their move into the top ranks of education reform with a complete set of K-12 reforms.

Despite not getting the top grade in the U.S. with a C+, the state was highlighted by ALEC in a section titled “North Carolina lawmakers go big on K-12 reform in 2013.”

Efforts such as the new A through F letter grades for public schools and the private school voucher program are the reasons behind the improved ranking.

The praise doesn’t come as a shock considering that the Republican-led General Assembly has embraced laws related to education that mirror ALEC legislation.

ALEC calls the Tar Heel State’s new letter grade system for school performance “a crucial step toward increasing transparency in the system.”

ALEC ‘s biggest praise was for North Carolina’s new private school choice program, which was given an A grade. In October, the state Supreme Court moved to appeal a ruling that shot down the “Opportunity Scholarships” that helped low-income families pay the costs associated with private school attendance.

ALEC stated in a report, “Between these private choice programs and improvements in the state’s charter school laws giving parents ultimate control over their child’s education, it is clear that bottom-up pressure for public school improvement is on the way.”

Hats off to North Carolina’s lawmakers in their efforts to implement changes in the state’s schools. I expect to continue to see major strides in education reform in the state, and hope that changes in public schools happen next.