Parent Power!
Helping You Make Sense of Schooling Today

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You might be a parent who has the familiar banner in front of your school. Or, you may have seen a bumper sticker. But do you know what it means to be selected as a Blue Ribbon School?
          Each year the U.S. Department of Education conducts this "contest" in order to reward and highlight successful schools. Schools covet the award, and real estate agents point to communities that boast them. But does the Blue Ribbon label really mean success, or is it all in the eye of the beholder?
          You decide. Here's the process: Schools must apply and provide information attesting to student support, school organization and culture, standards and curriculum, teaching, leadership, community partnerships and more. Then, each state's education department selects which schools will be passed on to the federal education department.
          A national panel consisting of a broad array of educators is convened, site visits are made to those school that look promising and recommendations are submitted. Last year, 266 schools were chosen for this designation.
          Does the Blue Ribbon label really mean success, or is it all in the eye of the beholder?
          Educators appreciate the recognition and the process a school undertakes to be considered for this label. It is a good tool for self-evaluation. But experts also point out that the Blue Ribbon process does not look at the school's achievement information. What gains have been made from year to year? Can most 1st graders read at grade level?
          Go to a horse race or a 4-H fair and a blue ribbon usually means excellence. While many programs can be excellent without a test score, results surely matter. Schools that measure results are schools that succeed.