A r c h i v e d I n f o r m a t i o n

   FOR RELEASE                      Contact: Melinda Kitchell Malico    October 3, 1995                                    (202) 401-1008

Fifty-Seven Outstanding School Principals Honored

Fifty-seven outstanding elementary and middle school principals from across the nation, as well as U.S. schools abroad, were named today as 1995 National Distinguished Principals by the U.S. Department of Education and the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP).

They will be honored October 13 at an awards banquet in Washington, D.C.

"The job of leading schools in their mission to help students get on the right course to make the most of their lives is never easy," said U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley. "Today's principal must inspire both teachers and students to reach challenging standards for learning, and must also help draw in critical community support for the school's mission to educate each child. These distinguished principals show that strong and thoughtful leadership can mean success for a school and its students, and I am pleased to join NAESP in recognizing each of them."

"Leading a school successfully at a time of expanding enrollments and scarce resources is a lot like trying to balance the national budget," said Samuel G. Sava, NAESP's executive director. "Every bit of gain in one direction brings a bit of pain in another. But these outstanding men and women have shown that they can trim costs without reducing the quality of instruction."

The department and NAESP began the program in 1984 to recognize public and private school principals who make outstanding contributions to their schools and communities.

The distinguished principals were selected by NAESP affiliates in all 50 states and the District of Columbia and by committees representing private and overseas schools. NAESP represents 26,000 principals nationwide.

Each affiliate used its own selection process, following guidelines established by NAESP and the department for determining outstanding leadership. The guidelines include: nomination by peers; demonstrated commitment to excellence; evidence of support by students, colleagues, parents and the community; high standards and expectations for students and staff; and service as a principal for at least five years.

The Variable Annuity Life Insurance Company (VALIC), based in Houston, is the corporate partner for the annual program. VALIC hosts the awards banquet and provides lodging for the honored principals and their guests. VALIC also provides the principals with a certificate and an engraved, bronze school bell.