October 2, 2007
Karla Denny, Director, Communications and Recogniton Programs, 785-296-4876
Five Kansas Schools Recognized as 2007 NCLB-Blue Ribbon Schools
Five Kansas schools were among the 287 schools in the United States named by U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings as 2007 No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools. The No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools award, one of the most prestigious education awards in the country, distinguishes and honors schools for helping students achieve at very high levels and for making significant progress in closing the achievement gap.
The Kansas schools being recognized include Morris Hill Elementary School, USD 475 Geary County; Eisenhower Elementary School, USD 475 Geary County; Buckner Performing Arts Magnet, USD 259 Wichita; Lincoln Elementary School, USD 431 Hoisington; and Herington Elementary School, USD 487 Herington.
"These schools are proving that when we raise the bar our children will rise to the challenge," Spellings said. "It takes a lot of hard work by teachers and students to become a Blue Ribbon school, and it's a privilege to celebrate their great efforts."
The No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private elementary, middle and high schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement to high levels. The schools are selected based on one of two criteria: 1) Schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that dramatically improve student performance to high levels on state tests; and 2) Schools whose students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent of their state on state tests or in the case of private schools in the top 10 percent of the nation on nationally-normed tests.
Four of the Kansas schools being recognized were nominated as representative of both criteria: 1) a dramatically improving school serving at least 40 percent disadvantaged students, and 2) a school whose students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent of their state on state tests or in the case of private schools in the top 10 percent of the nation on nationally-normed tests. These include Morris Hill Elementary School, USD 475 Geary County; Eisenhower Elementary School, USD 475 Geary County; Buckner Performing Arts Magnet, USD 259 Wichita; and Lincoln Elementary School, USD 431 Hoisington.
One school, Herington Elementary School, USD 487 Herington, is being recognized as a dramatically improving school serving at least 40 percent disadvantaged students.
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.
Those selected will be honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on November 12-13.
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