A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

FOR RELEASE: November 30, 2000	Contact:         John Emekli (202) 401-4389

U.S. Secretary of Education Richard W. Riley today honored 27 New American High Schools at a White House ceremony.

"Today we recognize quality schools on the cutting edge," Riley said. "New American High Schools achieve exceptional results by setting high expectations and promoting educational excellence."

Riley said that as schools at the forefront of reform, New American High Schools offer unique and powerful lessons on how to set high standards and achieve excellent results through strategies including creating smaller learning communities, using innovative teaching techniques and integrating technology into the classroom.

Formed in 1996 under the leadership of Assistant Education Secretary Patricia McNeil, the New American High Schools initiative recognizes pioneering schools nationwide that provide rigorous academic instruction for all students to prepare them for future success.

The awards ceremony came at the end of the Education Department?s High Schools Creating Change conference, Nov. 28-30, in Washington, D.C. The conference continued the department?s national dialogue on improving the American high school.

A primary focus of that dialogue has been the creation of small, safe, personalized learning environments for students, regardless of the size of the high school that they attend.

"This conference is setting the foundation for an exchange of ideas that should act as a catalyst for reform and change that will ensure academic excellence for generations of students to come," Riley said.

The conference combines the New American High Schools awards conference with the Smaller Learning Communities project directors? meeting. Attendees explored the successful techniques of the New American High Schools with the aim of providing Smaller Learning Community grantees with new perspectives.

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NOTE TO EDITORS: Following is a list of the schools honored.

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