1.
What are the entry REQUIREMENTS?
For the entry requirements, click here.
2. What are some helpful entry guidelines?
For detailed entry guidelines, click here.
3. Will I receive confirmation of my entries?
You will receive a receipt of your submission as well as a confirmation when your entry is complete (that is, once it is vetted to ensure accuracy of all information and your payment has been received). If your entry is incomplete (either missing or incorrect information or due to lack of payment), we will be in contact with you to remedy that situation before judging begins. If we have not received the correct information or payment by the time judging begins, however, your product will either forfeit its right to be judged or be judged with the information as submitted previously.
The confirmation emails are not merely for your records. Please use them to review your entry and ensure that everything you submitted is correct. If your entry samples are being sent to us, please attach a copy of your confirmation to each sample. While there is a vetting process (noted above) to identify problems, AEP is not responsible for any mistakes made on the entry form (e.g. entering a product in the wrong category). If there are any changes to your entries, please contact AEP at 302-295-8351 to get them sorted out.
4. What ages are represented by the AEP Awards? Why did you eliminate the audience categories from prior years?
AEP accepts entries for all audiences, ranging from Preschool through Adult learners, unless otherwise specified. Official audience categories have been eliminated in the DAAs starting with the 2011-2012 Awards season, except for Periodicals, which will now be divided into PreK-12 and Adult subdivisions. Age/grade level are factored into the judging process. Please read the New in 2012 page for more information on the various changes to this year’s Awards.
5. Why were certain product types/categories eliminated?
The elimination of Technology product types and categories in the DAAs and Golden Lamps was a result of the restructuring of the Awards program this year. Many past entrants in these areas will find a new home in the Innovation Awards. However, entry in any of the other product types is also welcome.
The elimination of other categories can also be traced back to a lack of entrants. We welcome any proposals or feedback on how to reinstate eliminated categories in a way that will lead to more robust competition.
Please read the New in 2012 page for more information regarding the changes.
6. What is the difference between an entrant and a contact?
In most cases, there is no difference between these two people. However, during other times, it is critically important that we know the best person to contact with various questions. If you are a PR person entering a product on behalf of one of your clients or a marketing assistant tasked with entering your company’s products, for instance, you may not be the correct person to contact when a username or password doesn’t work. Having both of these fields allows us to save time and energy when problems arise.
7. Why do we need to submit a product picture and company logo?
This product picture is for potential use in the Gala Presentation. Rather than ask for pictures to be emailed so close to the Banquet, we are asking they be uploaded at registration this year, which will make it easier for all parties involved. This picture should be of the product, if possible.
- Screenshots of digital products are more than acceptable.
- Periodicals pictures should be of the first page or double page spread of the article (if longer than one page) only.
- If a product photo is unavailable, the company logo will replace it. If not submitted at registration or during subsequent reminder emails, we will not be contacting anyone for photos in the spring.
- The requirements here are: tif or jpeg files only, with a dpi of at least 300.
8. What are the 2011-2012 AEP Awards entry fees and deadlines? Can I enter even if I’m not an AEP member?*
| DAA |
AEP
member |
Non-member |
Early Bird: Nov. 16-Nov. 30 |
$115 |
$250 |
Regular rate: Dec. 1-Jan. 15 |
$140 |
$275 |
| Late fee: Jan. 16-Feb. 3 |
$165 |
$300 |
| Golden Lamp & Innovation Awards |
AEP
member |
Non-member |
Early Bird: Nov. 16-Nov. 30 |
$155 |
$305 |
Regular rate: Dec. 1-Jan. 15 |
$180 |
$330 |
| Late fee: Jan. 16-Feb. 3 |
$205 |
$355 |
| Beacon |
AEP
member |
Non-member |
Early Bird: Nov. 16-Nov. 30 |
$130 |
$245 |
Regular rate: Dec. 1-Jan. 15 |
$155 |
$270 |
| Late fee: Jan. 16-Feb. 3 |
$180 |
$295 |
*
The entry period ends Feb. 3, 2012. All
entries must arrive at AEP by Feb. 6, 2012.
Your entries will not be judged until payment is received.
If you would like to take advantage of the member discount, please visit our membership section for more information and/or contact Colleen Quigley at 302-295-8345.
If you have questions about payment or the payment process, please contact Brian Sime at 302-295-8344.
9. I am not from the US. Can I still enter the AEP Awards program?
Yes, we accept entries from all countries; however, we only accept English language materials or foreign language learning tools for English speakers.
10. Can I enter the same product in more than one category?
Absolutely, the more categories you enter, the better chance you have to win. It is possible to win in more than one category as well. Please keep the product fit in mind with each entry and that you are required to send a separate set of product samples for each category entered.
11. Can or should I enter into multiple Awards? What is the difference between the Distinguished Achievement Awards and Golden Lamp Awards? Will separate entry fees apply for each?
Entry in all of the different Awards is more than welcome if your product fits a category (or categories) in each. Many companies in the past have chosen to enter both the DAAs and Golden Lamp Awards. However, each category entered is considered a separate entry and comes with a separate entry fee. A separate set of product samples will also need to be sent for each entry.
The Distinguished Achievement Award entries are judged solely against entries of the same type (i.e. Reading and Language Arts Supplemental Resources entries are judged only against other Reading and Language Arts entries.)
The Golden Lamp Award entries are judged against all types in the given category, regardless of subject matter. (i.e. Reading and Language Arts Supplemental Resources entries are judged against Science entries, Life Skills and Character Education entries, and any other entries in the category.)
As a result, only four Golden Lamps are awarded; the winners here are referred to as the “best of the best” in their category. Companies enter the DAAs because they want their products to be judged within their specific subject area or category and enter the Golden Lamps because they believe they have the best Whole Curriculum Program, Supplemental Resource, Periodical, or Professional Development product overall.
12. Can I save my entry even if I have not completed all of the information?
Yes, you may save your entries at any time and come back to them. We suggest that you read the entry requirements and guidelines ahead of time to make the entry process easier, but if you have a question or need to save your progress and come back later, you can.
13. Will the product samples be returned after the judging process is complete?
No. All products entered into our Awards program become property
of AEP. Any products of use to schools will be donated.
14. If a software
title has won a previous award, is the upgrade or latest version
eligible for entry?
Yes, upgrades or new versions of software or technology products from the previous year are eligible for the 2012 Awards program as long as they are copyrighted in 2011.
15. Are winners selected
by peer-voting?
No. What makes winning an AEP Award especially prestigious is the tiered judging process that is used. Outside of the Beacon Awards, entries are reviewed by teacher judges first, who narrow the field of entries. These entries then enter a second round of judging, done by educational publishing industry professionals. The entries that survive this second round are passed along to certifying judges, who determine the winner and finalists in the various categories. Judges utilize both numerical scores and comments in making their decisions. Please read the Judging page for a more detailed explanation of the judging process.
We are always looking for new judges that are qualified and interested in the program. Participation in judging is a great way to understand what products are available and how the industry is changing. If you are interested in judging or nominating a judge, please contact Linda Swank at 302-295-8351.
16. If I win, is there a logo I can display on my website or product?
Both winners and finalists are encouraged to display the AEP Awards seal in as many places as possible to promote their achievement. After the finalists and winners are announced they will receive a digital image of the seal. The logo is dated, so you may use it over and over again on the finalist and winning entry.
17. When do you announce finalists and winners?
All finalists will be notified by email in April 2012. This email will include information on the Awards Banquet and Gala and a press release that can be customized for your purposes.
All winners will be announced at the AEP Awards Banquet and Gala on June 5, 2012. A press release along with recognition on our website follows.
The best and most up to date resource for news about the AEP Awards is the Awards section of the AEP website.
18. I’m having trouble accessing the online entry form and/or the entry form is working slowly. What should I do?
The traffic on our website is probably slow due to a large number of people trying to enter the awards at the same time. Our busiest times are usually after 12 p.m. EST. We suggest that you try submitting your entry earlier in the morning (if you are on Eastern or Central time) or later in the work day (if you are on Mountain or Pacific time). You are now able to save your progress at any time if you need to leave the form and come back to it later. Please utilize this option rather than filling out a new form.
If you are still having difficulties, please contact AEP at 302-295-8350.
19. How can I receive information about the AEP Awards?
Please contact AEP at 295-8351 if you are interested in receiving information about the upcoming Awards season or with any other questions.
20. Whom do I contact if I have payment questions?
If you have questions about payment or the payment process, please contact Brian Sime at 302-295-8344.
