US Department of Education Ends National Blue Ribbon Schools Program After 43 Years

The Trump administration has ended the National Blue Ribbon Schools program, a federal initiative established in 1982 that recognized outstanding public and private schools across the United States. The Department of Education announced the discontinuation in August 2025, citing a broader strategy to return education authority to the states and reduce federal involvement. States are now encouraged to develop their own recognition programs tailored to local priorities, with Louisiana already highlighting alternatives like the Louisiana Models of Excellence initiative. The program's termination was abrupt, with many states having already nominated schools for the 2025 awards before the cancellation notice. Educators have expressed disappointment, noting that the Blue Ribbon was a unifying national symbol of educational excellence that helped attract families and funding. Some states, such as Connecticut, are stepping in to create state-level awards to fill the gap left by the federal program's end.