U.S.

What Equals A Blue Ribbon School?

September 5, 2000 / 9:00 AM EDT / AP

Only about a fourth of the public schools lauded as "America's most successful" last year by the U.S. Department of Education, earned the distinction through academic achievement, according to a study released Tuesday.

Nineteen of the 70 elementary schools designated Blue Ribbon winners in 1999 scored in the top 10 percent academically among similar schools in their respective states, according to a report by the Brown Center at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C.

Of the remainder, 17 finished among the bottom 50 percent, meaning their students scored lower on reading and math tests than the average school. The other 34 schools fell somewhere in between.

The center's analysis statistically adjusted scores to compare schools serving students of similar income levels, unlike the federal program, which holds all schools to the same criteria.

Tom Loveless, author of the report and director of the center, said many of the schools had "decent marks," but when compared to other schools that teach students of the same socio-economic background the scores are not outstanding.

Stephen O'Brien, a U.S. Department of Education official, said a school doesn't "necessarily have to be the most successful academically" to be in the program.

A school must be at or above the 60th percentile to be considered Blue Ribbon quality or must show a significant improvement, meaning at least an 11 percent increase in test scores, he said.

Factors besides academics that are considered in awarding a Blue Ribbon include student focus and support, school organization and culture, challenging standards and curriculum, active teaching and learning, and leadership and educational vitality.

For 18 years, the Department of Education has been operating the Blue Ribbon Schools program to "promote and support the improvement of education."

Elementary and middle schools alternate every year with secondary schools for selection in the program. Previously recognized schools must wait five years to reapply.

Christopher Cross, president of the Council for Basic Education, said the public believes a Blue Ribbon school is the best academically.

"I think scores are critical," he said. "To label a school a Blue Ribbon school that is not able to demonstrate highest level of student learning misapplies the label."

But Alfie Kohn, a former teacher, author and critic of statewide standards, says test scores are little help in determining what is an excellent school.

"Genuine achievement is not reflected in standardized test scores," he said. "We should never confuse excellence with high scores on multiple choice tests."