More Resources NCLB Blue Ribbon Schools 2004

U.S. Secretary of Education Rod Paige today announced that more than 250 of the nation's schools have been named No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools of 2004.

"For years, many of our underprivileged children were ignored and pre-judged, moved to the back of the room and quietly pushed through the system, with their scores hidden in averages," Secretary Paige said. "They were cast into the shadows, then cast out into life without the skills to succeed. This created a chronic achievement gap that mocked the promise of public education. So we must change our approach, incentives and expectations. We must foster a climate of academic excellence, enabling all students to reach the highest levels of scholarship.

"No Child Left Behind is starting to generate some amazing results, transforming the educational landscape. Today, I am pleased to announce the schools that have been named No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon Schools, and I congratulate them for their achievements."

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.

A complete list of schools is available at www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/awards.html.

The schools are selected based on one of three criteria:

1. Schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that dramatically improve student performance on state tests, as determined by the state school chief;
2. Schools whose students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent on state tests; and
3. Private schools that achieve in the top 10 percent in the nation.

Under No Child Left Behind, schools must meet "Adequate Yearly Progress," or AYP, in reading/language arts and mathematics. Each state sets its own academic standards and benchmark goals—not the federal government—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 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.

More information about the No Child Left Behind Act is available at www.ed.gov.

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