Welcome to your ultimate homeschooling resource


Oklahoma Schools Working For Recognition

All schools across America strive forSchools. More than 200,000 computers are
excellence, which is reflected throughavailable for students' use, at a rate of one
various regional, state, or national awards.computer for every three students.
Being recognized as an excellent place ofNinety-nine percent of Oklahoma Schools
learning can help schools in numerous ways.classrooms have internet access. A majority
Some awards give the recipients a cash bonus,of this progress in technology comes from the
while others give an endorsement offederal E-Rate program, local bond issues and
excellence. Oklahoma City Public Schools aregrants, and upgrades for schools and
no exception. Recognized for numerous,libraries in high poverty areas. Oklahoma
innovative programs, and admirableSchools not only added technology to the
improvement, Oklahoma Schools enjoy a highclassrooms, but have also integrated
status within the 50 states. Improved instandards defining basic skills of technology
reading and math, advances in technology, andinto its core curriculum for Pre-K through
being named a Blue Ribbon School are all12th grade, known as the Priority Academic
examples of these recognitions. One of theStudent Skills (PASS). Students must learn
highest national honors an Oklahoma Schoolthe operation of a computer, application of
(or any other school in the nation, for thatsoftware as a tool, problem-solving skills,
matter), can receive is being named a Bluetelecommunications skills and ethical and
Ribbon School. The Blue Ribbon honors schoolslegal issues in using technology. Oklahoma
that have closed achievement gaps and whereSchools have shown improved performance in
students are excelling at high levels. Forreading and math at all levels between 2002
the 2006 - 2007 school year, several Oklahomaand 2006. Achievement gaps between different
Schools have been recognized by the U.S.ethnic groups have narrowed between 2002 and
Department of Education. More than 50 schools2006 in reading at all grade levels tested.
in the state have been honored since thisThe biggest improvements were seen in
program began in 1982. Six Oklahoma Schoolselementary math, but reading scores have also
were honored for the school year. Fourincreased. In the Technology Counts 2007
elementary schools and two middle schoolsreport released March 29, Oklahoma Schools
received the honor. The number of K-12earned an overall B- compared to the national
schools, public or private, that each stateaverage of a C+. The state's schools scored
can nominate depends on that state'san A- in the use of technology for student
population. 60 percent of schools nominatedstandards, establishing a virtual school and
each year for the Blue Ribbon status areoffering computer-based testing. Oklahoma
recognized by the federal government. All sixSchools, as well as the other schools
of the nominated Oklahoma Schools won thethroughout the nation were surveyed to
recognition. These Oklahoma Schools aremeasure the status of K-12 educational
recognized because they have met criteria intechnology; developments over the past ten
two areas. These requirements are:years  are  also  considered.
improvements made by low-income students, and
schools that have scored in the top 10% onPatricia Hawke is a staff writer for Schools
the state's standardized tests. Advances inK-12, providing free, in-depth reports on all
technology have been made in OklahomaU.S. public and private K-12 schools.



1 A B C D E F 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 137