[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1978]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CONGRATULATIONS TO KATY ELEMENTARY

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                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 29, 2006

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, Katy Elementary School, of the Katy 
Independent School District, is among the 26 Texas schools that have 
recently received the Department of Education's prestigious Blue Ribbon 
Schools award.
  The No Child Left Behind-Blue Ribbon Schools Program recognizes 
outstanding public and private schools that are either academically 
superior or have demonstrated dramatic and consistent gains in student 
achievement. The Department of Education selects Blue Ribbon Schools 
based on nominations submitted by the states. My colleagues may be 
interested to know that every school nominated by Texas received a Blue 
Ribbon Schools award.
  Schools can be nominated for a Blue Ribbon Schools Award if at least 
forty percent of their disadvantaged students show dramatic improvement 
over three years on state tests in reading or English language arts and 
mathematics. Schools whose student bodies rank in the top ten percent 
on state tests in reading or English language arts and mathematics may 
also be nominated for a Blue Ribbon Schools Award.
  In addition to these two criteria, Blue Ribbon Schools must meet 
Adequate Yearly Progress requirements in reading or English language 
arts and mathematics, must not have been identified as a ``Persistently 
Dangerous'' school within the last two years, and must comply with 
other Department of Education requirements.
  Katy Elementary's designation as Blue Ribbon Schools is a tribute to 
the schools' teachers, administrators, and other employees' dedication 
to providing students with a quality education. It also is a reflection 
of the students and parents' commitment to the pursuit of educational 
excellence. I am therefore pleased to offer my congratulations to Katy 
Elementary School for being one of the 26 Texas schools designated as 
Blue Ribbon Schools by the Department of Education.

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