Officials at Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills Elementary District 181 are expressing disappointment over the elimination of the national Blue Ribbon Schools program, which was established by President Ronald Reagan in 1982 to recognize public and non-public schools for being exemplary in their academic performance or in closing achievement gaps between student groups.

The Trump administration ended the U.S. Department of Education program without warning in August after nominations had already been submitted for the year, as it downsizes the federal government’s role in education, saying it’s better handled by the states.

“We are disappointed that the award won’t be continued, as it honored the hard work of students and staff at schools across the country,” said Karen O’Connor, District 181’s di

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