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.
Opinion
True blue Oklahoma schools
- Opinion
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OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
If you read any of the letters to the editor in the past two weeks regarding Tuesday’s District 2 Edmond school board race, then you already know that this election is not about the individual candidates so much as it’s about what type of school board do Edmond residents really want governing their school district?
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What are your presidential 10 Commandments?
As we brace for the upcoming presidential campaign, we should be honest about our responsibility in the process. Before we get pushed, pulled, bribed, frightened, bullied, flattered, fooled or charmed into voting for a candidate, let’s take a mature thoughtful look at what the profile of the president should look like. In order to do that, let’s do an exercise. Sit down with a pencil and paper and draft your proposal for the Ten Commandments to be obeyed by the president. Let me share some of my suggestions.
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What would Reagan do today in Oklahoma?
As we celebrated the 101st anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth on Feb. 6, several of us at Oklahoma Council of Public Affairs started discussing what Reagan might do today. Here are some of the ideas we came up with.
- LETTER: School counselor says Roy ready to help all students
- LETTER: Supporter calls Duncan 'a firecracker'
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Consequences of an overregulated nation
Overreaching government regulations are costing jobs and killing our economy. They are a heavy burden on our nation and its citizens — in some cases worse than our nation’s increasingly out-of-control debt.
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LETTER: Supporter: Duncan shows passion for children’s needs
To the Editor:
The families in the Edmond Public School District are fortunate to have Kathleen Duncan as their advocate on the Edmond Board of Education. Duncan has worked tirelessly for the welfare and benefit of the Edmond schools’ students. -
LETTER: Teacher supports Duncan’s re-election
To the Editor:
On Feb. 14 patrons of District 2 have an opportunity to re-elect the current president of the Edmond School Board, Kathleen Duncan. Duncan has served as a board member for 10 years. When people move to the Oklahoma City area, they buy a home here because of the exceptional quality of Edmond Public Schools. This speaks to Duncan’s goal of “Excellence in Education for All Edmond Public School Students.” -
LETTER: Supporter: Duncan understands diverse issues
To the Editor:
Kathleen Duncan understands the diverse issues that effect our schools. She carefully studies the district’s issues and works tirelessly as an advocate for all students. Her votes as a board member have an impact for years to come and she takes that responsibility very seriously. - LETTER: Reader says incumbent's personal agenda in the way
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OUR VIEW: Feb. 14 vote about ideas
