(RALEIGH) -- Around 200 delegates from North Carolina are headed to Chicago for the annual conference of the National Education Association. Among them is Sheri Strickland, the President of the North Carolina Association of Educators.

"Public education has been on the chopping block in terms of budgets in states.  It's not just an issue in North Carolina, but concerns across the country about the future of public education in our nation," said Strickland.

Strickland added that the conference will also focus on low-performing schools across the country.  She said she expects a discussion on how the NEA and its members can play in reform efforts.