PTAs who have made intentional efforts toward diversity, inclusion, equity and justice. Some examples (not an exhaustive list):
- PTAs that have identified which demographic groups are missing from their membership and program participation and have a plan to address the barriers that prevent them from being engaged.
- PTAs whose membership and program participation has become more reflective of the diversity of the communities served (in race/ethnicity, languages, income, religion, gender identity, ability, sexual orientation, etc.).
- PTAs who have ensured their focus on diversity, equity and inclusion in membership is ongoing and evolving based the changing demographics and communities they serve.
- PTAs that have designed new programs or changed existing programs based on diverse community needs and interests.
- PTAs that have developed program models and approaches to reduce disparities and achieve equitable outcomes.
- PTAs that have developed consistent relationships with community members from identities/backgrounds currently or traditionally underrepresented.
- PTAs that have shifted their norms and practices so that diverse lived experiences are welcomed and can meaningfully contribute.
- PTAs that have assessed and removed or are working to remove the structural barriers that keep underrepresented groups from seeking or attaining leadership in PTA.
- Get more ideas about what you are already doing or could be doing using National PTA’s guidance for local leaders (English and Español).
In your applications, you will need to answer the below questions. You can leave a narrative response no longer than 250 words or attach a video submission no longer than three minutes.
- Which dimension(s) of diversity (race, income, ability, language, sexual orientation, etc.) has been particularly important to have represented in your membership and/or leadership and why? What has your PTA done to be more reflective of this diversity?
- What efforts did your PTA make to help families who have historically not been engaged in your PTA feel more included?
- What steps has your PTA board taken to ensure that it is using decision-making processes that are fair and reflective of new and diverse perspectives?
- Explain the outcomes and impact of your efforts, including the evaluation methods (qualitative and quantitative).
In addition to the narrative questions, applicants will be required to share information on racial, gender and linguistic demographics of students in their PTA community and Board. See FAQs for ideas on where to find this data.
After the application deadline:
- National PTA conducts a check on good-standing status and other eligibility requirements for all applicants.
- Judges (members of National PTA’s Diversity, Inclusion, and Outreach Committee) score applications and deliberate to decide on winners.
- Internal approvals and communications for winners take place.
- Applicants will be notified of their status in December.
National PTA strives for a fair and transparent process to determine the awardees. This includes:
- All applications will be anonymized for scoring.
- Judges are discouraged from providing help or advice to applicants.
- Judges will recuse themselves from scoring a category and/or specific applications where there is a conflict of interest and/or if that judge is from the same state as an applicant.
- Three judges will score each application.
After being notified that they have won, awardees will be contacted by a member of National PTA’s Diversity, Inclusion and Outreach Committee about how they will be involved in the virtual 2025 National PTA Convention.
A public announcement of winners, including a press release, will occur in April or May.