"Regardless of the direction you're going with in
school improvement, the Blue Ribbon program gives you
a vehicle to get on track. It gives you a framework
and standards so you know where you stand," says
one principal. Schools are finding that the richness
and scope of the Blue Ribbon nomination process allows
them to reflect, "not just on the surface level,
but down deep." One educator says, "If you
want a tool for school improvement, there's nothing
out there better than the Blue Ribbon Schools Program.
It's the best you can find."
The
Blue Ribbon Schools Program promotes and supports the
improvement of education in America by:
Identifying
and recognizing schools that are models of excellence
and equity, schools that demonstrate a strong
commitment to educational excellence for all students,
and that achieve high academic standards or have shown
significant academic improvement over five years,
Making
research based, self-assessment criteria available to
schools looking for a way to reflect on how they are
doing,
Encouraging
schools, both within and among themselves, to share
information about best practices, which is based on a
shared understanding of the standards, which
demonstrate educational success.
