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

Blue Ribbon and Drug-Free Schools Unite

The 1995-96 recognition program will be different from either the Blue Ribbon Schools Program or the Drug-Free Schools Program. A committee formed of experts in school recognition from around the country and OERI staff is looking at improved ways to recognize school success. The committee's recommendations are due to the Assistant Secretary in April 1995.
The current criteria for the Blue Ribbon Schools Program still being used for the 1994-95 competition are based on the effective schools research that is now over 20 years old. The new combined program will be grounded in the best and most recent research. It will also foster a comprehensive view of what it means to be successful and will be a fair program that will allow a wide range of schools to participate.
The committee must answer questions as well, including: How would the program tie into the National Goals and Goals 2000? What is the role of student achievement and how will it be assessed? What is the unit of recognition: the school, the district, a program within the school? Whatever the final configuration, the new program must recognize educational success in such a way that it encourages others to achieve the same success.
To provide ideas to the committee on the new recognition program, write Recognition Committee, OERI, 555 New Jersey Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20208-5645.

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