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