Media Alert: Six Maryland Schools To Be Awarded "Blue Ribbon" Status

State Superintendent To Announce State Honorees

For Immediate Release                                                        

Contact: Bill Reinhard, 410-767-0486, Darla Strouse, 410-767-0370

Baltimore, MD (December 4, 2014)


WHO:      State Superintendent of Schools Lillian M. Lowery
                Educators from Six Maryland Schools and School Systems

WHAT:      A surprise announcement as schools from Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Frederick, Harford, and Washington will be named as recipients of the 2015 Maryland Blue Ribbon School Award.  

WHEN:     9:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 10

WHERE:   State Board Room
                 Seventh Floor
                 Maryland State Department of Education
                 200 W. Baltimore Street
                 Baltimore, MD  21201

WHY:       The Blue Ribbon Schools Program is a state and national program that recognizes and honors schools that exhibit high performance and/or significant improvement in reading and mathematics achievement as measured by Maryland’s assessments.  Schools must meet rigorous standards developed by the Maryland State Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education.  These schools are all high achievers in reading and mathematics, placing in at least the top 15 percent of the State, and many serve a significant number of economically disadvantaged students. Other achievement indicators include school leadership, professional development, instructional approaches, and parent and community involvement. Maryland can select up to six schools for recognition, based on its school-age population.  The Maryland Blue Ribbon Schools go on to compete for National Blue Ribbon Awards, which will be announced by the U.S. Department of Education next fall.

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