What is a Blue Ribbon School?

Once Stacey unpacked from her family's move to a new town, she stopped by the local elementary school to register her two children. Inside the front door, she noted a large sign that proudly proclaimed it a Blue Ribbon School. She had no idea what that meant.

Overview

According to the U.S. Department of Education, the Blue Ribbon Schools Program of that agency recognizes excellence in public and private elementary, middle and high schools. These schools either show academic superiority or dramatic gains in achievement for students who are disadvantaged.

The effort to name Blue Ribbon Schools began in 1982. It's the highest honor the Department of Education bestows upon any school.

Originally intended to recognize overall school excellence, the program today takes its inspiration from the federal No Child Left Behind initiative and is totally about academic achievement, the Washington Post reports.

In the early days of the program, schools nominated themselves for Blue Ribbon awards. This is no longer the practice. A 2000 study by the Brookings Institution suggested that the schools selected too infrequently demonstrated academic achievement. As a result, since 2002, the requirements shifted more toward academic achievement.

During the Administration of President George W. Bush, the initiative was officially renamed the No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools Program.

Nominations

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program is open to public and private schools with students in kindergarten through grade 12, according to Temple University. A nominated school can be in any of the 50 states, the District of Columbia or Puerto Rico.

Bureau of Indian Affairs and Department of Defense Dependents Schools are also eligible. Elementary and secondary schools can participate in alternating years.

Selection Process

When it comes to nominating public schools, each state has its own program. Nominations go from the principal state school officers to the Department of Education. The number of schools each state can nominate is tied to the state's population.

For private schools, nominations come from the Council of American Private Education. Officials of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Department of Defense Dependents Schools nominate their respective schools.

Up to 413 schools can be nominated nationwide.

Selection Criteria and Recognition

Selection as a Blue Ribbon School is based on one of two criteria. First is dramatic improvement in student performance to high levels on state tests in schools with at least 40 percent of students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The second is achieving in the top 10 percent on the applicable state test, regardless of students' backgrounds, for public schools. Private schools must be in the top 10 percent of the country on nationally-normed tests.

Under the No Child Left Behind program, to be considered, a school must make what is known as Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in reading (language arts) and math. However, each state sets its own academic standards and benchmark goals.

In addition to significant publicity, each winning school receives a plaque and a flag to signify its status as a model institution.

A ceremony held annually in Washington, DC honors each winner.

Benefits

Temple University suggests that the Blue Ribbon Schools Program has been proven effective in several ways. The self-assessment it requires is an opportunity for school improvement projects involving all relevant stakeholders.

Winning is a strong incentive for winning schools to strive for even higher standards. It also serves as a stimulus for other schools who want national recognition.

Schools honored often receive additional local and outside funding as a result. Increased parent and community involvement in education typically also follows the recognition.

Education overall benefits from the publicity this program generates. Articles on Blue Ribbon Schools often result in special awards from business and industry and promote teaching as a career choice.

Sources:

http://www2.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/index.html

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/28/AR2005092800698.html?nav=rss_education

http://www.temple.edu/lss/bluerib.htm