Award Programs: FAQ

2. I would like to take advantage of the member discount, how would I become a member?
Please click here to visit our membership section for more information on becoming a member of AEP, or you may contact Michael Corwin at 856-241-7772.

4. How do I request a refund?
Due to the nature of the program and the judging process, refunds will not be given. Please carefully review all AEP criteria and guidelines before submitting an entry.

5. I am not from the U.S. 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. (Teacher instructions must be in English.)

6. How many entry samples should I send?
Everything except online entries, e.g., websites, requires THREE copies of each product. Also, please include a product statement with each entry that lists the intended audience, product goals and objectives, or any other information you think that a judge can use to best evaluate your product.

7. When must the product have been published?
Your entry must have a published date of January 1-December 31, 2007, excluding websites, which must be active during the judging period from January until April 2008.

8. Can I enter the same product in more than one category?
Absolutely. The more categories you enter, the better chance you have to win. And you can win in more than one category as well! Just be sure that your product fits into all entered categories and that a separate set of product samples is sent for each category entered.

9. Can I click ahead on the entry form to see what additional information you will be requesting?
No. The information you provide in the online entry form is submitted in real time. When you click ahead, you are basically creating a false entry, so please, try to avoid doing this. A few components that may need to be prepared in advance of submitting an entry are as follows: for any categories with a web component, you will need to submit the exact web URL, username, and password; and for Golden Lamp entries, a product statement (not mission statement) is required. If you have any questions about the information we will be requesting, please call our awards hotline at 856-241-2784, or email awards@AEPweb.org.

10. Why should I enter both the Distinguished Achievement Awards and the Golden Lamps? What is the difference between the two programs?
The Distinguished Achievement Awards are different from the Golden Lamp Awards in that they are judged solely against entries of the same type (i.e. children’s news story, young adult sponsored publications, etc.). Golden Lamp Award entries, on the other hand, are judged against all audiences and types of their given category (Instructional Materials, Books, Periodicals, and Technology). Thus only four Golden Lamps will be awarded and the winners are referred to as the "best of the best." Companies enter the Distinguished Achievement Awards because they want their products to be judged against specific criteria and enter the Golden Lamps because they believe they have the best Instructional Material, Book, Periodical, or Technology product overall. Many companies choose to enter both the Golden Lamps and the Distinguished Achievement Awards.

11. If I want to enter the Distinguished Achievement and Golden Lamp awards, do separate entry fees apply for each?
Yes. Every category entered should be regarded as a separate entry with a separate entry fee. A separate set of product samples will also need to be sent for each category entered as different judges will be viewing your product at the same time.

12. Will the product samples I send 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.

13. If a software title has won a previous award, is the upgrade eligible for entry?
Yes, upgrades from 2006 on software and technology entries are eligible for the 2008 awards program.

14. Are winners selected by peer-voting?
No. What makes winning an AEP award especially prestigious is the rigorous judging process that is used. Entries are first reviewed by screening judges, who narrow the field followed by the final judging certifying committee who review and certify finalists and winners in all categories. Judges are selected from a pool of educational publishing professionals (writers, editors, designers, educators, product developers, and marketing directors), who have themselves received accolades for their work.

15. Can I enter AEP’s awards programs even if I’m not a member?
Although AEP members receive discounted entry fees, anyone producing quality educational materials is encouraged to enter. In fact, each year about one-tenth of our entries come from non-members.

16. If I win, is there a logo I can display on my website or on my product?
Both winners and finalists are encouraged to display the AEP Lamp of Learning logo in as many places as possible to promote their achievement. Just after the winners are announced, they automatically receive a digital image of the logo from AEP headquarters. The logo is dated, so you may use it over and over again on the winning entry.

17. When do you announce the finalists and winners?
All finalists and non-finalists are notified by mail and email in April. Included in the finalists’ mailing is information about the awards ceremonies, a request for digital, high-resolution image of your entry, and a form for you to designate which local media outlets should receive a press release. All winners are announced on at the AEP Awards Banquet and Gala on Friday, June 6, 2008. Distinguished Achievement and Golden Lamp winners are announced at a formal banquet and gala, and Beacon winners are announced during a luncheon ceremony. A press release along with recognition on our website and in our newsletter AEP Online follows.

18. Where can I find a list of previous award winners?
Go to http://www.AEPweb.org/awards/winners.htm for a complete list of winners from 2007 and go to http://www.AEPweb.org/awards/prevwin.htm for a list of previous winners.

19. How can I receive information, including entry forms, about awards programs?
Please contact AEP if you are interested in receiving information about the upcoming awards.

20. Will I receive confirmation of my entries?
Due to the volume of entries we receive, we cannot send confirmations for individual submissions. AEP will contact you of your entry is incomplete (e.g., we did not receive the product, payment, etc.)

21. I'm having trouble accessing the online entry form, or the online 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 either 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). If you are still having difficulties, please contact AEP at 856-241-7772.

22. Where can I get more information on the AEP Awards?
For complete information on the AEP Awards, you can download our Awards Guidebook or call the Awards hotline at 856-241-2784.

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For more information about the AEP Awards contact awards@AEPweb.org or call 856-241-2784.

AEP's CEO Charlene Gaynor at Austin D. Baltz Elementary School in Elsmere, DE

Frequently Asked Questions

Entry Fees

Audience