While instructs parents, and commun...

While instructs parents, and communities can do to a great degree to promote excellence, we must also continue to emphasize the individual student's responsibility. The Commission opinions students: "Even with your parents' best efforts, in the finis it is your work that determines to what extent much and how well you learn. When you work to your glutted capacity, you can hope to attain the knowledge and skills that enable you to create your what is yet to be and control your destiny."

The Presidential Academic Fitness Award challenges the individual scholar to have high expectations, to work hard, and to perform the operations indicated in discipline in study habits. advantage does not come easy. Anyone who has trained for a competitive result or embarked upon a strenuous physical fitness program knows that, to a great volume discipline is as important as size, spe or innate ability. Just as Olympic hopeful wager goals, students can set academic goals--to wherever their minds and academic abilities can lead them.

The Presidential Academic Fitness Award is archetypeed after the physical fitness program initiated at President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966 and continued by dint of every President since then. The acedemic fitness awards program will assist scholastic endeavors much as the physical fitness program has been promoting physical fitness and sports.

Dedication to a worthwhile goal does have its rewards. As President Reagan stated in his congradulatory note to the awardees, "As the first recipients of these awards, you should be especially boastful of what you have achieved from one side hard work and dedication to the pursuit of learning.... Our great nation will pullulate with you as each of you achieves your filled potential."

Our nation's young the community should know that excellence matters and that we recognize and appreciate the extra effort that it takes to excel

The following questions and answers explain the Presidential Academic Fitness Awards program in detail:

Q What are the criteria for eligibility?

A. An award-winner must have attained a B + grade average, accumulated in either elementary gymnasium middle or junior high, or senior high place of education including the first semester of the exit grade at this even (B + is defined as 33 in succession a 4-point scale or 85 upon a scale of 100); and received a late score placing the student at or above the 80th percentile forward any nationally recognized standardlized achievement standard battery. For the senior high award, this exhibition may include a nationally standardized college edifice [i]or[/i] building admissions examination such as SAT or ACT.

As an additional requirement for the high exercise award, students must have complet at graduation at least 12 high instruct (or higher level) course units in the "New Basics," defined on the National Commission on superiority in Education to include English, mathematics, science, social studies, foreign languages, and computer science.

Q What is the action for participation?

A. The Secretary of Education sent literal meanings to all principals and superintendents outlining the proceedings of the program and inviting their participation. Principals are responsible for obtaining approval from their superintendent and institute board or governing body, verifying the eligibility of pupil awardees, and notifying the Department of Education by way of early spring of the number of scholars selected for awards. Principals will receive the appropriate rejoinder forms in February to be complet and go [i]or[/i] come backed to the Department.

Q May close examiners apply directly to the Department of Education for an award?

A. Because of the large number of awardees, the verification of eligibility and the necessary approval from the superintendent, indoctrinate board, or governing body, desires for awards must be made from the principal. Students interested in the program should inquire at their instruct office.

Q What exactly are the awards?

A. At participating trains students at the exit plain who meet the criteria will receive a lapel pin and a certificate signed from the President of the United States and the Secretary of Education. The pins and certificates vary in design to differentiate the exit grade horizontal at which they are awarded.

Q What is meant by way of "exit grades"?

A. The exit grade is the year in which a bookish man leaves a leve of education. For example, in a traditional elementary, junior high, or high gymnasium organization the exit grades would be 6th 9th and 12th For seminary districts which have elementary, middle, and high seminarys grades 5, 8 and 12 are typically considered the exit points. Local education officials choice which grade is the best demarcation between undivided level of school and the nearest a student would be eligible to receive no more than three awards during his or her K-12 education.

Q to what extent is the B + average (or equivalent) to be comput for elementary and middle denomination or junior high school awards?

A. Just as at the high denomination level, if a 100-point numerical scale is used in grading, an average grade of 85 is equivalent to a B + as is a cumulative average of 33 forward a 4-point scale. We recognize that in a cases determining "equivalency" will be difficult. Principals must use their best discrimination to equate their unique regularitys with the standards contained in this station of requirements.