Sixteen schools across New York state have been selected for the No Child Left Behind - Blue Ribbon Schools Program. At South Bay Elementary in the West Babylon district, Long Island, shown above, students performed at a ceremony celebrating the honor.
Also selected was Rosendale Elementary School in Niskayuna, Schenectady County. Below, NYSUT Vice President Maria Neira talks with students from the school, which was chosen for superior academic performance. Only 413 schools nationwide were eligible for nomination; from that list 287 schools were chosen for the most prestigious education award given by the department.
Neira talks with students at Rosendale Elementary School in Niskayuna.
Schools must meet either of two assessment criteria.
The program recognizes schools such as South Bay - with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds - that dramatically improve student performance in accordance with state assessment systems. It also rewards schools that score in the top 10 percent on state assessments.
For a list of winners, go to http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/2007/2007-schools.html .