<html><head><title>Language class lack spoils ward chance</title></head><body>This article was mailed to you by: <b>Francis Hult</b><br>The sender included this message:<br>Language class lack spoils ward chance
<br>Click to <a href="http://www.connpost.com/news/ci_3573534">View this Article</a><p><font size='3'></font><p><center><font size='5'><b>Language class lack spoils ward chance</b></font></center><p><font size='4'></font><br><font size='2'>SUSAN SILVERS <a href="mailto:ssilvers@ctpost.com">ssilvers@ctpost.com</a><br>Connecticut Post Online<br></font><P><font size='3'><!-- body start -->BRIDGEPORT — High Horizons Magnet School officials have learned that budget cuts cost the school a shot at a national excellence award.<P>
Although initially recommended for consideration as one of the nation's top schools by state Education Commissioner Betty J. Sternberg, High Horizons is ineligible because it no longer offers foreign language to seventh- and eighth- graders.<P>
Principal Elizabeth Dunlap said she was "devastated" to learn the absence of a language program — eliminated because of budget cuts — disqualified High Horizons from designation as a federal Blue Ribbon School.<P>
"It's obviously extremely disappointing," said Supt. of Schools John J. Ramos, who said the school is another "victim of the budget."<P>
Initiated in 1982, the Blue Ribbon program recognizes schools that demonstrate excellence over a three-year period.<P>
Until 2002, local school officials could decide themselves whether they might qualify for the citation and submitted detailed assessments for federal review.<P>
But J. Stephen O'Brien, the director of recognition programs for the federal Department of Education, said the criteria were changed to emphasize schools that show particular success in educating disadvantaged students. Now, schools must be recommended for the designation by their states.<P>
He said foreign language has always been a requirement for the Blue Ribbon award.<P>
Qualifying public schools must either have a student body comprising at least 40 percent poor students who demonstrate significant improvement according to state standards or perform in the top 10 percent of schools.<P>
High Horizons qualified on both counts, Dunlap said.<P>
Foreign language was taught at High Horizons for many years. But with an increasingly tight budget, the Board of Education axed it at the end of the 2003-04 academic year.<P>
"Unfortunately French was removed from our core curriculum," Dunlap said.<P>
But the school otherwise "met all of the basic guidelines" for the award, she said.<P>
Ramos called the situation "very disappointing because this was an opportunity to acknowledge and uplift the hard work that goes on across the system as exemplified by High Horizons."<P>
Connecticut had three Blue Ribbon schools last year — in East Haven, Hartford and Windham. This year's winners will be announced in September.<!-- body end --><p>This e-mail was initiated by machine [10.148.8.5] at IP [10.148.8.5].</font></body></html>