Blueprint for Excellence Assessment Criteria

Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc.

BLUE RIBBON LIGHTHOUSE SCHOOL AWARD /

BLUEPRINT FOR EXCELLENCE ASSESSMENT PROCESS

Criteria

The Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School Award is a recognition program for schools of excellence offered by Blue Ribbon Schools of Excellence, Inc., and is not designed as a typical application process. Schools are identified and selected for this award based on achievement of excellent performance in all nine major categories of the Blueprint for Excellence. The Blueprint for Excellence is designed to be a positive school improvement process that covers the following nine major categories of critical performance elements found in excellent schools:

1. STUDENT FOCUS AND SUPPORT - This category focuses on how the school's established goals and objectives accurately reflect the school’s vision, student needs, and high aspirations for all students. There are five sections within this category concentrating on:

student needs, the use of data to improve program offerings, and the development of programs/strategies based on student needs.
services and programs available to support students and to accommodate their needs.
serving the various developmental needs of students and their ease of transitions from grade to grade and school to school.
the availability and encouragement of co-curricular (extracurricular) activities for students, such as clubs and athletic programs.
the accessibility of school facilities for students and others with disabilities.

2. SCHOOL ORGANIZATION & CULTURE - This category focuses on the school culture exemplifying a caring community that supports continuous learning. There are four sections within this category concentrating on:

the culture of the school supporting learning experiences and fostering a caring community.
building sustained and caring relationships among students, teachers and other adults, as well as promoting a healthy peer climate among the students.
hiring practices and assignment of staff.
a safe, orderly and drug-free environment.

3. CHALLENGING STANDARDS & CURRICULUM - This category focuses on the establishment of a rationally designed curriculum to ensure high levels of achievement of the school's goals and objectives by all students - including significant content learning, citizenship, and interpersonal and workplace skills. There are six sections within this category concentrating on:

learning in the academic disciplines; character development and ethical judgment; preparation for life in a complex and diverse society; appreciation for democratic values; participation in the practices of democracy and community service; and development of interpersonal, technological, and other skills valued in the workplace.
providing for differing student academic needs, student grouping and scheduling, and student progression to more challenging course work.
high achievement and challenging content for diverse learners, students with disabilities, and students with particular needs.
the process for continuous curriculum renewal, alignment of curriculum objectives, and curriculum design
engaging students with significant content and ensuring student achievement at high levels in each subject area.
promotion requirements, content mastery, appropriate student development and challenging students beyond minimum standards.

4. ACTIVE TEACHING AND LEARNING - This category focuses on purposeful decision-making governing all aspects of the teaching and learning program. There are three sections within this category concentrating on:

teaching practices and learning experiences in the school.
teaching practices to support student-initiated learning and responsibility for contributing to individual and peer group learning and achievement.
the availability and use of learning resources beyond the traditional textbook.

5. TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION - This category focuses on the use, mastery, and application of technologies that promote teaching and learning to provide opportunities that produce technology-capable students. There are two sections within this category concentrating on:

the integration of technology into the curriculum to focus the technology use on curriculum — discipline-specific, content-area curriculum — using technology as a tool to foster higher level outcomes.
the integration of technology to improve management and program efficiency and effectiveness.

6. PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY - This category focuses on continuous professional development to support improved student learning. There are four sections within this category concentrating on:

a collective capacity to work together to support student learning.
a coherent approach to professional development to effectively sustain the school's curriculum, instructional strategies, and a culture that encourages teachers, administrators, and school staff to work together as members of a professional community, supporting each other in the improvement of student learning.
professional development and support to address the differences in career experience or professional responsibility.
the use of student assessment, staff evaluation, and school review to support professional growth.

7. LEADERSHIP & EDUCATIONAL VITALITY - This category focuses on dynamic leadership engaging the school community in continuous school improvement focused on high levels of student achievement, current needs, and future challenges. There are four sections within this category concentrating on:

leadership roles and the focus on achievement of the school's vision/mission.
engagement of internal and external stakeholders in leadership and decision making.
a participatory school improvement process fostering a culture of student-centered success.
using current information about education to promote continuous improvement.

8. SCHOOL, FAMILY, & COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS - This category focuses on a commitment to and recognition of the important role that families, partnerships, and community play in supporting learning. There are four sections within this category concentrating on:

goals and priorities of the school, family, and community/business partnerships.
involving families in their children's education.
supporting the needs and concerns of families.
educational resources in the school and the community used to extend learning opportunities for students, teachers, and families.

9. INDICATORS OF SUCCESS - This category focuses on student achievement of high academic standards. There are four sections within this category concentrating on:

the school-wide assessment strategy.
communication of assessment data.
the use of assessment results to understand and improve student and school performance.
the use of alternative assessments of student performance.