House Resolution Honors 2025 Blue Ribbon Schools, Calls for Program Reinstatement After DOE Termination

This House Resolution is essentially a formal shout-out to high-achieving schools and a direct challenge to the Department of Education (DOE). It aims to recognize the schools selected for the prestigious National Blue Ribbon Schools designation for 2025, a recognition that was suddenly put on ice when the DOE decided to discontinue the entire program on August 29, 2025. The resolution celebrates the history of the program, which began in 1982, as a way to honor academic excellence and close achievement gaps, noting that over 9,000 schools have been recognized.

The Honor Roll That Almost Wasn't

Think of the Blue Ribbon program as the gold star of federal school recognition. For educators and communities, it’s a huge validation—a sign that their hard work is paying off and that their teaching methods are actually working. The resolution specifically highlights the value of this program, especially given the recent, sobering news that high school seniors’ math and reading scores fell to their lowest levels in two decades, according to the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress. The resolution argues that cutting the program eliminates a national spotlight on effective educational practices, precisely when we need them most. It even name-checks the 28 schools in Illinois that earned the 2025 designation before the plug was pulled, recognizing their achievement anyway.

What the Resolution Demands

While this is a resolution, meaning it doesn't create new law or allocate money, it carries significant symbolic weight and sends a clear message. The resolution has two main actions. First, it formally recognizes and celebrates the 2025 Blue Ribbon schools and the legacy of the program, commending the educators, administrators, and communities involved. This is important for the staff and students who earned the honor, ensuring their effort isn't completely forgotten. Second, and most pointedly, it calls upon the Secretary of Education to immediately reinstate the Blue Ribbon Schools program. This puts public pressure on the DOE to reverse its decision and restore a key federal mechanism for promoting best practices in education. For parents and teachers, this resolution is a push to keep those high standards visible and celebrated, suggesting that the federal government needs to be in the business of spotlighting success, not silencing it.