State Excellence Library

In This Section



Notes from the Backpack Podcast


COVID-19 Response

Based off of feedback from the field (that not all of our participating PTAs would be able to focus on or have the tools needed to complete the 2019-20 School of Excellence program) we have decided to postpone the 2019-20 School of Excellence program and automatically consider these 540 actively participating PTAs in the 2020-21 School of Excellence program cycle. These 540 PTAs received this email nofication on April 10, 2020.

To honor the amazing work that these PTAs have done in the School of Excellence program up to the point of program postponement, each of the 540 Excellence Teams received a customized and printable letter and certificate of recognition on behalf of National PTA. These PTAs were also offered the exclusive opportunity to apply for Phase 1 COVID-19 relief funds.

Moving forward in the 2020-21 program, we will waive Steps # 1-4 so that these PTAs can pick up on Step #5 (implementing their action plan) upon the return to school. Toward the end of the 2020-21 school year, these PTAs will join the other - newly enrolled cohort - and are required to deploy the Final Survey and complete the Final Application for consideration of the 2020-2022 National PTA School of Excellence designation, which will be announced August 2021.

Enrollment for additional PTAs to join the 2020-21 School of Excellence program starts June 1 at PTA.org/Excellence. Please encourage the 540 2019-20 program participants to continue forward and new PTAs to join in their efforts to strengthen family-school partnerships and rebuild from the effects of COVID-19.

Email Excellence@PTA.org with any questions.



Welcome PTA Leaders and School of Excellence Champions!

This website serves state PTAs and its regions, districts and councils to promote, train, support and celebrate local family-school partnerships through the National PTA School of Excellence program.

Use the tools and information below to connect School of Excellence to other family engagement resources in your state, promote the program on your State PTA website and social media, train local PTAs about School of Excellence at your next leadership conference and support PTAs by knowing where they are in the program and encouraging them along the way. Not sure how best to support your local units? Need detailed reports? Email Excellence@PTA.org.

  • Provide outreach and encouragement to the 540 actively participating PTAs that are in pursuit of the 2020-2022 National PTA School of Excellence designation, now during the 2020-21 school year. As outlined above, these PTAs will be automatically enrolled in the 2020-2021 program. Email Excellence@PTA.org for any questions or detailed reports.
  • Enrollment for the 2020-21 program year is now open at PTA.org/Excellence. Be sure to link our main page (not the enrollment form link) to your state's website and encourage local units from your state to enroll early.
  • Use the data reports, training, tools and quotes found below to develop state-specific talking points about the School of Excellence program and impact. Email Excellence@PTA.org with any questions or assistance.
  • Congratulations to the 326 2019-2021 National PTA Schools of Excellence and 2019 Phoebe Apperson Hearst Award winners! Shine a light on these PTAs as models for others in your state who are seeking to improve family-school partnerships at their schools.

 

Key Dates 

  • June 1 - Oct. 15: Program Enrollment (deadline extended from Oct. 1)
  • Sept. - Nov. 15: Baseline Survey Administration (deadline extended from Nov. 1)
  • Oct. 15 - Nov. 15: Initial Application Due (deadline extended from Nov. 1)
  • Throughout school year: Take Action!
  • March - June: Final Survey Administration
  • June 15: Final Application Due - must be submitted online (deadline extended from June 1) 
  • Mid-August: School of Excellence and Hearst Award Recipients Announced

2020-2021 Reports

  • ENROLLMENT REPORTS- In addition to newly enrolled PTAs, the 2020-21 program enrollment will include the 540 PTAs who were actively participating in the program when it was postponed.

2019-2020 Reports

  • 2019-2020 Enrollment Report - 875 enrolled (closed Oct. 15)
  • 2019-2020 Completed Initial Application Report - 540 (closed Nov. 22)
  • See what some of our participating PTAs were up to in the middle of the School of Excellence program with these (optional) survey results. - 70 respondents (February)
  • We asked School of Excellence participants to provide feedback about their School of Excellence progress and plans due to COVID-19. HERE are some notes from the discussion and below are takeaways from the survey:
    • Respondents reported a 73% completion rate for Step #5
    • 89% of respondents have not yet deployed the Final Survey (Step #6)
    • Respondents reported that 58% of their school communities could be reached remotely given the tools available to them (not all respondents have tools available to them)
    • 57% of respondents think they would be able to complete the steps in the program process given what they know right now


2018-2019 Reports


2017-2018 Reports 


Comparative Reports


Past Schools of Excellence


Past Data Reports


Promote Enrollment

Videos


Flyers and Postcards


Newsletter and Web Templates


Blogs


Quotes


Social Media

Link images to PTA.org/Excellence - Enrollment Opens May 1

  • Facebook Graphic - Enroll
    • It’s not too early to plan for the 2020-21 school year, especially when it comes to the School of Excellence. ENROLLMENT IS under way RIGHT NOW! This is a year-long commitment to developing a school improvement action plan that’ll benefit all students. Learn more and ENROLL at PTA.org/Excellence. Are you ready to roll up your sleeves and get to work?
  • Twitter Graphic - Enroll
    • ENROLL NOW! By taking part in the National PTA School of Excellence, your PTA and school administrators make a commitment to identify and implement a school improvement action plan! PTA.org/Excellence. #PTAProud
  • Newsletter Graphic - Enroll
    • SUGGESTED HEADLINE: Enroll NOW for the School of Excellence What exactly is the National PTA School of Excellence? The School of Excellence is a program that supports and celebrates partnerships between PTAs and schools to enrich the educational experience and overall well-being for all students. It’s about making changes. It’s about making improvements. And it’s about celebrating accomplishments. Enrollment for the 2020-21 school year is under way right now. If you’re interested, be sure to get details at PTA.org/Excellence. This is a year-long commitment that could lead to one of National PTA’s highest honors. Don’t delay. Enroll now!
  • Instagram Graphic - Enroll
    • School of Excellence enrollment for the 2020-21 school year is OPEN!

Logos


Training Tools


State PTA Examples

  • Support PTAs in the program - May 1 thru the following June 15
  •  Celebrate designees - Mid-August          
    • Be sure to congratulate your state's National PTA School of Excellence designees and share their stories on your social media outlets. Reach out to your state's designees and join their celebration events. Email Excellence@PTA.org for more information about how they achieved the designation and for more celebration tools.
  •  Promote program enrollment - June 1 thru Oct. 15
    • Remember to hyperlink PTA.org/Excellence to promote program enrollment (not the enrollment link) on your state PTA website and use the social media tools above to encourage local units in your state to enroll.

Key Websites


Questions?

For questions, detailed reports and/or state-specific information, email Amy Weinberg and Ellie Miller at Excellence@PTA.org.