National Blue Ribbon Schools Program


Stored: National Blue Ribbon Schools Program

National Blue Ribbon Schools Program
Type Program
Sponsor Organization Department of Education
Top Organization Department of Education
Creation Legislation No specific legislation; established by the Department of Education
Website Website
Purpose National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors top or improving schools, sharing best practices to boost educational excellence nationwide.
Program Start 1982
Initial Funding Not specified as part of a separate budget; funded through the Department of Education's general operations
Duration Ongoing
Historic No

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle, and high schools that are either high performing or have made significant progress in closing achievement gaps among different student groups.

It aims to recognize and share best practices that lead to educational excellence, celebrating schools that demonstrate effective educational strategies, strong leadership, and commitment to student achievement.

Official Site

Goals

  • Recognize schools for their exemplary academic performance or progress in closing achievement gaps.
  • Highlight and disseminate best practices in education.
  • Encourage schools to strive for continuous improvement in education quality.

Organization

The program is managed by the U.S. Department of Education. Schools are nominated by their state's chief education officer, with nominations reviewed by a panel of educators. There is no specific leadership position for the program; rather, it's overseen by staff within the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. Funding for the program is part of the Department's general budget, with no separate funding allocation publicly specified.

Partners

No formal partnership is listed for this program as it's primarily an initiative of the U.S. Department of Education, though schools may collaborate with various local or educational partners to achieve their recognition.

History

The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program was established in 1982 by the U.S. Department of Education to recognize schools making significant strides in education. Initially, it focused on schools offering exemplary programs or showing marked improvement. Over time, the criteria have evolved to include a focus on both high performance and substantial progress in closing achievement gaps, reflecting changing educational priorities. The program has remained a prestigious acknowledgment of educational excellence.

Funding

Details on initial or specific annual funding for the Blue Ribbon Schools Program are not publicly detailed, as it is part of the broader educational budget of the U.S. Department of Education. The costs associated with the program, including the ceremony and recognition materials, are covered by the department's operational funds.

Implementation

Each year, schools are selected through a nomination and application process. States nominate schools based on criteria set by the Department of Education, which includes performance on state assessments and other indicators of excellence or improvement. Selected schools are honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., where they receive a flag or banner to display. There's no end date for the program, as it continues annually.

Related

External links

Social media

  • There are no specific social media accounts for the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program; updates can be found via the U.S. Department of Education's social media.

References

[1] [2]