WASHINGTON–U.S. Representative Solomon P. Ortiz (D-Texas) presented a congratulatory letter and U.S. flag to Southmost Elementary educators and administrators of the Brownsville Independent School District for receiving the 2009 Blue Ribbon award during a ceremony at the Omni Shoreham Hotel.
“I am proud of the work the students, teachers, support staff and school district administration have done at Southmost Elementary,” Ortiz said. “Hard work, dedication, and persistence pay off, and today’s Blue Ribbon award is a sign of continued educational commitments in South Texas.
“I congratulate the work being done by all at Southmost Elementary, and encourage them to continue to reach unexpected heights,” he said.
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program honors public and private schools based on one of two criteria: 1) schools whose students, regardless of background, achieve in the top 10 percent of their state on state tests or in the case of private schools in the top 10 percent of the nation on nationally-normed tests; and 2) schools with at least 40 percent of their students from disadvantaged backgrounds that demonstrate dramatic improvement of student performance to high levels on state tests or nationally-normed tests.
In addition, public schools must meet Adequate Yearly Progress, or AYP, in reading (language arts) and mathematics. Each state — not the federal government — sets its own academic standards and benchmark goals.
A total of 413 schools nationwide can be nominated, based on the number of K-12 students and the number of schools in each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The Chief State School Officer (CSSO) nominates public schools, and the Council for American Private Education (CAPE) submits private schools’ nominations. The schools are invited by the Secretary of Education to submit an application for possible recognition as a Blue Ribbon School.
Southmost Elementary was the only school in the 27th congressional district of Texas to receive this award. James Bowie Elementary School, a part of the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District received the same award this year.
