Blue Ribbon Schools Program
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The Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a United States government program created to honor schools. The Blue Ribbon award is considered to be the highest honor that an American school can achieve.[1][2]
Established in 1982 by Secretary of Education Terrell Bell, the program first honored only secondary schools. Then it was expanded to include primary schools. It was then changed again to honor secondary schools and primary schools in alternation. The program recognized more than 3,000 schools from its inception through 1996, and currently cites nearly 300 schools per year (out of 133,000 total schools K-12 [3]). Many have won the award multiple times. The only schools to have won it four times are Catholic High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Crocker Middle School in Hillsborough, California, Spartanburg High School in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois and Holy Names Academy in Seattle, Washington.[citation needed]
States, territories, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the Department of Defense Education Activity Schools have joined the competition over the years. Special emphases have changed from year to year based on national priorities.
To be selected for recognition, a school conducts a self-evaluation -- a process that allows teachers, students, parents and community representatives to assess their strengths and weaknesses and develop strategic plans for the future. The school then submits a written application, including information on their progress toward achieving the National Education Goals. A review panel selects what they consider the most promising schools for site visits by experienced educators who submit reports on their findings. The review panel considers the reports and makes recommendations to the U.S. Secretary of Education, who announces the schools selected for recognition.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ CIBA cited as one of the best by Education Department, Journal Inquirer, November 16, 2006. "The Blue Ribbon award is given only to schools that reach the top 10 percent of their state's testing scores over several years or show significant gains in student achievement. It is considered the highest honor a school can achieve."
- ^ Viers Mill School Wins Blue Ribbon; School Scored High on Statewide Test; The Washington Post. September 29, 2005 "For their accomplishments, all three schools this month earned the status of Blue Ribbon School, the highest honor the U.S. Education Department can bestow upon a school."
- ^ US K-12 Enrollment The Center for Education Reform figures for 2000–2003, accessed December 8, 2006
[edit] External links
- "Blue Ribbon Schools" - Remarks of U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige October, 2001 (source: US Department of Education)
- "Riley Names 266 Blue Ribbon Schools" for 1994–96 (source: US Department of Education)
- Blue Ribbon Schools lists: 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 1982–83 to 2001–02
