[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 12 (Thursday, February 10, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S644]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CENTER LINE HIGH NAMED A BLUE RIBBON SCHOOL BY DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

 Mr. ABRAHAM. Mr. President, I rise to offer my congratulations 
to Center Line High School in Center Line, Michigan, upon its 
recognition by the US Department of Education as a Blue Ribbon School. 
Fully accredited by the North Central Association and continuously 
endorsed since 1956, Center Line High School has demonstrated 
excellence in a variety of areas, including student focus and support, 
active teaching and learning, leadership, community partnerships, and 
educational vitality.
  The Department of Education's Blue Ribbon Program promotes and 
supports the improvement of education in America by: identifying and 
recognizing schools that are models of excellence and equity, that 
demonstrate a strong commitment to educational excellence for all 
students; making research based, self-assessment criteria available to 
schools looking for a way to reflect on how they are doing; and 
encouraging schools, both within and among themselves, to share 
information about best practices which is based on a shared 
understanding of the standards which demonstrate educational success.
  Center Line High School demonstrated its excellence to the Department 
of Education through a variety of innovative programs intended to 
prepare its students academically, physically, and socially to 
participate productively in this rapidly changing world. Center Line 
High is in its second year on an alternating A/B block schedule, which 
has allowed the school to implement 11 new courses this past year. 
Beyond its academic and curricular superiority, Center Line offers an 
array of student-run activities that integrate learning and service 
with community involvement. One such program allows students the 
opportunity to operate a branch of the Metro Credit Union (one of the 
first student-run credit unions in the county and state) while the 
student-initiated Community Outreach Program gives students the chance 
to engage in area service projects.
  I applaud Center Line High School on its excellence in education and 
its commitment to the development of students and the community. I also 
with to congratulate the school once again upon its designation as a 
Blue Ribbon School by the Department of Education.

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