More Resources NCLB Blue Ribbon Schools 2005

Two hundred and ninety-five schools in the nation have been named No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools for 2005, U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings announced today. In recognition of the progress these schools have made under No Child Left Behind, each school will receive an award certificate as part of the Blue Ribbon Schools program.

"The achievement gap is closing and that is great news for every student," Spellings said. "These Blue Ribbon Schools are an example of what teachers and students can achieve. For the first time, we are insisting on results and accountability in return for our federal investment in education. In the three-plus years since No Child Left Behind was signed into law, we've learned a new equation: 'Accountability plus high expectations plus resources equals results.'"

Seven of the No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools for 2005 were directly affected by Hurricane Katrina and are currently not operating. These devastated schools include: Christian Brothers School in New Orleans, La., Edna Karr Magnet School in New Orleans, La., Stuart Hall School for Boys in New Orleans, La., St. Clement of Rome School in Metairie, La., Gautier High School in Gautier, Miss., Pascagoula High School in Pascagoula, Miss., and Pass Christian High School in Pass Christian, Miss.

"Our hearts and thoughts go out to the students and educators at these schools," Spellings said. "We're committed to doing everything we can to help these communities rebuild and to help these students get back to school as quickly as possible."

Secretary Spellings has undertaken a number of initiatives to ensure that students displaced by Hurricane Katrina can continue their education and achieve academically. The Bush administration is proposing up to $2.6 billion in funding to affected elementary, secondary and postsecondary institutions in the Gulf Region as well as schools taking in displaced students. More information on assistance for students and schools affected by the hurricane is available at "Hurricane Help for Schools." http://hurricanehelpforschools.gov/index.html

The No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools program recognizes schools that make significant progress in closing the achievement gap or whose students achieve at very high levels. The schools are selected based on one of three criteria:

• Schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that dramatically improve student performance on state tests.

• Schools whose students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent of their state on state tests.

• Private schools that achieve in the top 10 percent in the nation.

Under No Child Left Behind, schools must make Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP, in reading and language arts and mathematics. Each state—not the federal government—sets its own academic standards and benchmark goals, because each state knows best what goals and criteria are most appropriate for its school districts.

The No Child Left Behind Act is the bipartisan landmark education reform law designed to change the culture of America's schools by closing the achievement gap, offering more flexibility to states, giving parents more information and options and teaching students based on what works. Under the law's strong accountability provisions, states must describe how they will close the achievement gap and make sure all students, including those with disabilities, achieve academically.

list of all 295 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools for 2005 is available at http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/2005/index.html. For more information about the Blue Ribbon Schools program, visit http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/index.html.

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