Since the Blue Ribbon Schools Program was established by the Secretary of Education in 1982,
it has developed into a national school improvement strategy. Many states now have related programs.

Today, the Blue Ribbon Schools Program serves three purposes. First, it identifies and recognizes outstanding public and private schools across the nation. Second, the Program makes research-based effectiveness criteria available to all schools so that they can assess themselves and plan improvements. Third, the Program encourages schools, both within and among themselves, to share information about
best practices based on a common understanding of criteria related to educational success.

Blue Ribbon Schools are models of both excellence and equity. To be recognized, a school must demonstrate a strong commitment to educational excellence for all students. The Program welcomes applications from schools that have demonstrated sustained success in achieving these values, as well
as schools that have overcome obstacles and can provide evidence of significant improvements.

Which Schools May be Nominated?

Public and private schools serving grades K-12
from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as Bureau of Indian Affairs and Department of Defense Depen- dents Schools, may be nominated. Elementary and secondary schools are eligible to participate in alternate years.

How Are Schools Chosen?

Each state administers its own program for selecting public schools to be nominated to the national level. Chief state school officers make their nominations to the U.S. Department of Education. The number of schools each may nominate is indexed to the state's population. The Council for American Private Education nominates private schools, and officials of the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Department of Defense Dependents Schools nominate their schools.

What Selection Criteria are Used?

The review panel considers a variety of factors
that constitute "Conditions of Effective Schooling" and "Indicators of Success" for each school. Details of selection criteria are provided in the nomination form available through the nominating agencies.

Each year, a limited number of special emphases are
designated. These represent areas where school performance needs to be greatly improved and where effective models are sought. Schools may choose to seek honors in one special emphasis area in addition to comprehensive recognition, but this is optional.

What Are the Benefits?

The Blue Ribbon Schools Program has proven to be effective in numerous ways:

• The nomination form provides a comprehensive framework of research-
  based criteria that schools can use to
  assess themselves and plan changes.
  The self-assessment is an opportunity to
  involve all relevant stakeholders in a
  common school improvement project.
  
  
• Recognition is a powerful energizer for recognized schools to make further improvements, and it stimulates other
  schools to continue their efforts to strive
  for national recognition.
  
  
• By publicly validating school improvement efforts, confidence in recognized schools increases. This often results in higher local funding for schools, greater parent and community involvement in education, and success in the search for outside funds and
  other resources.
  
  
• The public spotlight shines on recognized schools; often they are the subject of
  articles in national, state, and local publi- cations. They are sometimes designated
  as the universe from which schools,
  teachers, or students are selected for
  special awards from business and industry.

Partnerships with education associations and corporations have also contributed greatly to the Program's success. Partners include the National Association of Elementary School Principals, the National Association of Secondary School Principals. and many private business corporations.