North Carolina Gov. Mike Easley is being lauded by the nation's top teacher lobbying group as "America's Greatest Education Governor."

The National Education Association planned to give Easley an award Thursday during the group's annual meeting in Washington, D.C.

The NEA cites Easley for his "More at Four" program for at-risk preschool students and the "Learn and Earn" program, which allows high school students to graduate with a diploma and an associate's degree.

Easley also got the Legislature to create a program that allows students to finish college without debt.

This is the first time the award has been handed out. Nearly 10,000 people attending the convention are expected to be in attendance.