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27 Schools Given Blue Ribbon Distinction

SACRAMENTO — State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today announced that 24 California public schools and three private schools have been identified by the U. S. Department of Education as 2007 No Child Left Behind (NCLB) – Blue Ribbon Schools. Schools receiving this honor are considered national models of excellence. The list of schools is attached.

"I am tremendously pleased these outstanding California schools are receiving the national recognition they so clearly deserve," said O'Connell. “They all are testaments to academic excellence and have created a positive school culture where students are able to thrive and reach their full potential. I send my congratulations to all involved."

The NCLB-Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a 24-year-old program that encourages states to nominate public kindergarten through grade twelve schools that are either academically superior or demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement. California public schools were chosen from among the 2006 California Distinguished Schools. Private schools were nominated by the Council for American Private Education.

Schools must fit one of two categories. The schools' student body must be comprised of 40 percent or more disadvantaged students whose level of proficiency places the school at the 60th percentile in English-language arts and mathematics in the highest grade tested when compared to other schools in the state. These schools must show dramatic growth in both content areas. Or, the school must show a student proficiency level that places the school at the 90th percentile in English-language arts and mathematics in the highest grade tested when compared to other schools in the state.

All awardees met the federal 2005, 2006, and 2007 Adequate Yearly Progress requirement and California Academic Performance Index growth targets. The schools will be honored at a ceremony in Washington, D.C. in November.

To obtain further information on the program and review a list of 2007 winners nationwide please visit the U.S. Department of Education's Web page: http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/awards.html (Outside Source).

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Attachment

2007 NCLB-Blue Ribbon Public School Awardees

2007 NCLB-Blue Ribbon Private School Awardees