Ellicott Mills Middle School in Ellicott City was named as one of six Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools yesterday. The Blue Ribbon Schools Program is administered by the US Department of Education to honor public and private elementary, middle and high schools “that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement to high levels.”
According to this story by Liz Bowie and Arin Gencer in The Sun, Ellicott Mills will now “be nominated to become national Blue Ribbon schools. In the past, most schools that have earned the state designation have been given the federal one as well.”
There was also a nice video featuring scenes from Ellicott Mills on WBAL last night.
From my own personal experience I can say that Ellicott Mills is certainly deserving of this recognition. Peanut is a sixth grader at the school.
Ellicott Mills was the only Howard County School to receive the Blue Ribbon this year. Congratulations to the administration and staff.
If you have a good feeling about your child's school, then that is probably the best way to judge its success. While I do not wish to negate this achievement, it is my understanding that Blue Ribbon status is awarded based on results of standardized testing alone.
ReplyDeleteAnother reason people are reduced to teaching to the test?
macsmom- If the award is simply based on standardized testing, why do the schools need to apply to receive the award?
ReplyDeleteSchools do not apply for the state Blue Ribbon award. The awards are given after reviewing statistics over a five year period. Teachers do not aim to get this recognition, but are extremely honored to receive acknowledgment that all their "above-and beyond" efforts have shown major gains in student achievement.
ReplyDeleteAnon 6:17- you are incorrect, and in fact you can view applications online. Below is a link to Hammond MS's application as a quick example:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/2009/applications/md03-hammond.pdf
This is Anon 6:17, and you are mistaken. The applications you are referring to are for the National Blue Ribbon Award which schools can apply for after they have been awarded the State Blue Ribbon Award. Applications are not accepted from schools for the state award.
ReplyDeleteLink to the info on the MD STATE Blue Ribbon Award
ReplyDeletehttp://www.marylandpublicschools.org/MSDE/programs/recognition-partnerships/blue_ribbon/