Samuel BeckElementary

Beck Elementary School was named a 2008 No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon School by the U.S. Secretary of Education.

A prestigious award honoring schools that are academically superior or that have shown dramatic gains in student achievement, Beck Elementary was one of only 18 public elementary schools in Texas and 320 schools across the nation to receive this great honor.

"This is a momentous occasion," said Superintendent Karen G. Rue, Ed.D. "I applaud the students, parents and staff of Beck Elementary School for this significant achievement. As we strive to provide an outstanding education to students in NISD, achievements like this serve as indicators that we are on the right path. that we are leading our students to success."

Beck Elementary School has been eagerly waiting for this announcement since the fall of 2007 when the school was first nominated for the award. Only 69 percent of the nominated schools were actually named a 2008 Blue Ribbon School.

"We are honored. This is a tribute to our students, parents, and our diligent staff who are dedicated to the children of our school," said principal Deborah McCune.

Beck Elementary was also recognized in December 2006 as a Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School by the Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc., a separate awards program.

The No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools award distinguishes and honors schools for helping students achieve at very high levels and for making significant progress in closing the achievement gap. The program honors public and private elementary and secondary schools that are either academically superior or that demonstrate dramatic gains in student achievement. Beck Elementary School was selected for students achieving in the top 10 percent of our state on the TAKS test (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills). Under No Child Left Behind, schools must also make Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP, in reading (language arts) and mathematics.

"These Blue Ribbon Schools are an example of what teachers and students can achieve," said U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings. "Now our challenge is to help other schools follow their lead by continuing to measure progress through No Child Left Behind, and by using the knowledge we've gained to replicate effective strategies and help every student improve."

The No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools award is a great honor, and campuses named as Blue Ribbon Schools also have the opportunity to serve as models for other schools across the nation.

For additional information on the program, see the following site: http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/about-brs.doc