NCLB - Blue Ribbon School Program

The No Child Left Behind—Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private K-12 schools that are either academically superior in their states or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement. On July 28, 2002, the US Secretary of Education announced that schools singled out for national honors will now reflect the goals of our nation's new education reforms for high standards and accountability.

Requirements:

The program requires schools to meet either of two assessment criteria. It recognizes schools that have at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that dramatically improve student performance in accordance with state assessment systems; and it rewards schools that score in the top 10 percent on state assessments. Of the schools submitted by each state, at least one-third must meet the first criterion of having 40 percent of the students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The program allows both elementary and secondary schools to be recognized in the same year.

• Based on the requirements established for the NCLB Blue Ribbon School Program and current Indiana school level data, a list of all qualifying schools is presented in November to a selection committee comprised of officials from the Indiana Department of Education and chaired by Dr. Suellen Reed, Indiana State Superintendent of Schools.
• Schools nominated cannot have been selected in 2003, 2004, 2005, or 2006.
• The USDOE allows Indiana a maximum of eight nominated public schools.
• Superintendents of the eight nominated schools are contacted to confirm the accuracy of information and local interest in completing the application process.
• The final list of nominees is sent to the United States Department of Education.
• Nominated schools complete the application process and submit them to the USDOE.
• Applications from nominated schools are reviewed by the USDOE to verify that all requirements, including AYP, have been met.
• Nominated schools that meet the requirements are announced by the US Secretary of Education and recieve the award in Washington, D.C.

2008 (2007 ISTEP+) Public School Cut Percentages:

• Based on the requirements established for the NCLB Blue Ribbon School Program and current national and Indiana school level data, non-public Indiana schools that meet qualifications may apply to the Council for American Private Education.
• School officials download CAPE's Procedures for Private Schools and the NCBL-BRS application.
• School officials use CAPE's online registration form to advise CAPE of their interest in applying for the NCLB-BRS award.
• In December, school officials submit the application and the required assessment verification documents to CAPE for review and comment.
• CAPE's review panel selects 50 schools to nominate for the award and submits them to the U.S. Department of Education.
• Nominated schools that meet the requirements are announced by the US Secretary of Education and recieve the award in Washington, D.C.

• Press Release - 2008 Nominated Indiana Blue Ribbon Public Schools
  
• US Department of Education Web site - No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools Program
  
• Council for American Private Education