Samuel Beck Elementary School named
2008 No Child Left Behind Blue Ribbon School
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.
Samuel Beck Elementary School will be honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. on October 20-21.
For additional information on the program, see the following site: http://www.ed.gov/programs/nclbbrs/about-brs.doc