This is the only award of its kind. Annually, six schools across America are recognized for having "significantly changed.” Responding to an invitation to nominate such schools, state commissioners of education, superintendents, national educational associations, universities and foundations endorse candidates to be considered for these prestigious awards. The awards are conducted and co-sponsored by the Panasonic Corporation of North America and the Fordham University Graduate School of Education. Nominated schools measure themselves against sixteen criteria summarized below.

A school, in our view, is a candidate for the award if it meets at least two criteria in each of the four dimensions and a total of at least ten criteria. Award winners are selected in the spring of each academic year, with the six winning schools gaining national recognition. Schools may nominate themselves.

Close to 600 schools, from 44 different states, have been nominated in the past eight years for recognition as schools that have significantly changed for the better. Responding to 16 specific criteria, each nominated school provides data and documentation to support their quest for this prestigious national award. Sixty to one hundred nominations are received each year. These are carefully screened, with 24 finalists selected. Each of the 24 finalists are recognized and from this group of schools, a National panel of judges select the six winning schools.

The Award to each of the six schools includes:
• A ceremony conducted at their school in May/June 2008
• A $5,000.00 grant
• National recognition and coverage by the media
• Subsidized participation of the school’s principal in the Eleventh Annual National Principals Leadership Institute to be conducted at Fordham University in New York City, July 2008
• An awards presentation by the United States Department of Education at a special ceremony in New York City in July 2008
• Participation in a major national research project focusing on school change

We are pleased to announce the 2008 winners of the Panasonic National School Change Awards

Congratulations to all nominees!

For More Information:

Jason Benjamin,
Nominations Coordinator
212-524-4616
jbenjamin@npli.org

Juan Fonseca,
Co-Director
212-524-4616
jfonseca@npli.org