Published: October 03, 2008 10:25 pm      

True blue Oklahoma schools

Ardmore School Superintendent Ruth Ann Carr called it a “validation that we’re doing the right things for students.” Washington Principal Bobby Alfred of Sapulpa called it “well-deserved” and said his staff has “put in a lot of effort.”

These school leaders are talking about two of Oklahoma’s six schools that have received a major national honor — being recognized as Blue Ribbon Schools by the U.S. Department of Education — for improving student test scores.

Oklahoma schools awarded for 2008 are:

• Ardmore Middle School (Carter County);

• Homer Elementary School in Byng Public Schools (Pontotoc County);

• Norman North High School (Cleveland County);

• Schwartz Elementary School in Midwest City-Del City (Oklahoma County);

• Sequoyah Elementary School in Shawnee (Pottawatomie County); and

• Washington Elementary School in Sapulpa (Creek County).

Each year, the No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School Program honors both public and private elementary, middle and high schools that have demonstrated significant gains in student achievement. Schools are selected for the honor based on one of two sets of criteria:

• Academically superior in their state by scoring in the top 10 percent on state reading and math exams at all grade levels assessed; or

• Have demonstrated dramatic gains in student achievement in the areas of reading and mathematics with at least 40 percent of their students coming from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Based on the size of the state’s student population, the State Department of Education is allowed to annually nominate six schools for this national honor. We are proud that, once again, all of our nominees were recognized this year.

In the past 26 years, 75 schools in Oklahoma have been designated as Blue Ribbon Schools, including several in Edmond. This year’s winners will be officially honored in a ceremony in Washington, D.C., later this month.

Carr told patrons that the achievement “represents years of hard work” by students, parents and faculty. She said that Ardmore Middle School’s achievement proves “that the achievement gaps that have existed for many years for African American, Native American, Hispanic, low socioeconomic and English as a Second Language learners can be closed.”

Oklahoma’s Blue Ribbon schools are examples of what can be achieved when students, parents, teachers and the communities work together. The hard work in our classrooms is making a difference.

Though only a few are named Blue Ribbon Schools, many more Oklahoma schools have closed those achievement gaps and are maintaining an intense focus on improving student achievement.

With your continued support, may all Oklahoma schools striving for excellence and our new Blue Ribbon schools keep up the good work!

SANDY GARRETT is state superintendent of public instruction.