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Below are links to the full text of the questions and answers.
- What exactly does the state need to do to nominate schools?
- How are private schools nominated?
- What exactly does the top 10 percent mean?
- Can a school report the reading and math scores as a composite?
- What if a school does not have three years of assessment data?
- What benefit is it to the schools the state nominates to participate in the NCLB-BRS Award process?
- Do urban and rural schools have an equal chance with suburban schools of receiving the award?
- If the results of the current year's state assessments are not available at the application deadline, may the state use the previous three years' data?
- Is a one- or two-grade school eligible for the award?
- If the school accidentally leaves out information on the application or makes a mistake, is it automatically disqualified?
What exactly does the state need to do to nominate schools?
The U.S. Department of Education will determine how many schools each state may nominate and notify each Chief State School Officer concerning the number of schools the state may submit. The numbers of submissions are based on the number of K-12 students and the number of schools in the individual state. The Chief State School Officer may submit nominations in two categories:
"Dramatically improving" schools have made adequate yearly progress (AYP) as defined by their state and at least 40 percent of their students come from disadvantaged backgrounds. These schools must have dramatically improved the performance of all students to high levels in reading (language arts or English) and mathematics on state assessments over at least the past three years. That is, there have been real gains in test scores during that period. The Secretary wishes to recognize those schools that have made the greatest gains in student achievement as measured by state assessments.
At a minimum, "high levels" means that the students in the school are achieving above the 60th percentile on state tests in reading (language arts or English) and mathematics. That is, the scores for at least the last grade tested in the school in reading and in mathematics are at or above the 60th percentile. For example, student test scores may improve from the 26th percentile to the state average, but the school still does not qualify for the award because test scores have not reached the requirement of the 60th percentile.
"Disadvantaged" is defined as eligible for free or reduced meals or Title I services, Limited English Proficient (LEP) or migrant students.
"High performing schools" are in the top 10 percent of all schools on state assessment scores in both reading (language arts or English) and mathematics, regardless of their demographics.
In the case of "high levels" for improving schools, the criterion is student scores on tests. Regarding the "top 10 percent in a state," the criterion is on the school's position relative to other schools.
To be eligible for nomination, the school must not have been in school improvement status or been identified by the state as "persistently dangerous" within the last two years. To meet final eligibility, the school must meet the state's adequate yearly progress requirement in the year it receives the award.
How are private schools nominated?
Private schools are nominated by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE). Additional information is on CAPE's website at http://www.capenet.org/brs.html
Does the "top 10 percent" requirement mean that the school has to have been in the top 10 percent of all the schools in the state on both reading and mathematics for at least the past three years? Or could it be for the current year only?
The school must be in the top 10 percent for the latest year of the reported tests. Depending on when state test results are available, that year may be the current one or it may be the previous year.
Can a school report the reading and math scores as a composite?
The reading (language arts or English) and mathematics scores must be reported separately. That is, the schools submitted must achieve at the required levels in both mathematics and reading. For example, for a school to be recognized as being in the top 10 percent of the state's assessment, it must be in the top 10 percent in both reading and mathematics.
What if a school does not have three years of assessment data?
The Chief State School Officer can only nominate schools that have at least three years of data. The Elementary and Secondary Act of 1994 required states to implement state assessments.
What benefit is it to the schools the state nominates to participate in the No Child Left Behind - Blue Ribbon Schools Award process?
The schools may be nationally recognized for their academic achievement as some of America's most successful schools. Nomination is a way to acknowledge the hard work of students, staff members, families, and the community in closing the achievement gap.
Do urban and rural schools have an equal chance with suburban schools of receiving the award?
Yes. The Secretary insists that at least one-third of the schools recognized be from schools at least 40 percent of whose students come from disadvantaged backgrounds. Many of these schools will be urban and rural.
If the results of the current year's state assessments are not available at the application deadline, may the state use the previous three years' data?
Yes. The state should use at least the most recent three years of available data.
Is a one- or two-grade school eligible for the award?
Yes. A one-grade school could prove that it made a difference in student learning for its current students by assessing students at the beginning of the school year and at the end, or by obtaining the previous year's state assessment data for each student and comparing them to the current year's data. A two-grade school could more easily show some connection between the school's program and student learning.
If the school accidentally leaves out information on the application or makes a mistake, is it automatically disqualified?
No. The Department will send the application back to the school for completion and notify the state.
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