The ASBA Awards Programs recognize both individuals and whole boards for their continuing education and pay tribute to entire boards whose members have all attained specified training development levels. ASBA also awards special recognition annually to two boards and one individual whose dedication and ethical service have made a positive and notable impact on the students in their districts.
Individual Member Development Award Program
The annual deadline for submitting hours to receive boardsmanship awards is October 31. This is only the awards deadline. Members may continue to earn hours toward their yearly training requirement through December 31.
Members complete progressive levels of training to enhance boardsmanship skills and earn hours through board development activities. The recognition levels of authorized activities are:
Certificate of Boardsmanship – at least 25 hours of ASBA training credit and should include the following training:
ASBA New Board Member Institute
ASBA Regional Meeting
ASBA training in the following areas:
Finance, Governance, Legal, Student Achievement
Members must earn a Certificate of Boardsmanship before being eligible to earn any of the following awards, regardless of total number of hours earned:
Master Board Member – at least 50 hours
Pinnacle Award – at least 200 hours
Platinum Award – at least 400 hours
President’s Award – 500 hours or more
ASBA School Board Service Award – 30 or more years of school board service
ASBA School Board Service Award – 40 or more years of school board service
ASBA tracks board members’ participation in ASBA events and the Southern Region Leadership Conference. ASBA also records the hours earned and notifies board members when they achieve any of these six recognition levels. Each school district must notify the Arkansas Department of Education at the end of each calendar year regarding each school board member’s earned training credit toward the state-mandated requirement. ASBA’s online AR Board Connect system assists districts in keeping records, but the district is responsible for maintaining official board training records.
Whole Board Award Program
This program recognizes achievement in education excellence and ethical service to students. Boards accomplish this through a shared vision, team effort, and unified commitment to ensure the best possible climate and education opportunities in their communities. These two levels of awards go to entire school boards rather than individual members.
Outstanding Board – earned when all members have achieved the individual Certificate of Boardsmanship
Master Board – earned when all members have achieved the individual Master Board Member award. The Master Board receives a commemorative plaque. After winning this award, the school district’s board is not eligible for this award again for at least five years.
School Board of Excellence in Leadership
This award recognizes school boards whose dedication and ethical service have made a positive impact on the students in their district. Districts will be chosen based on evidence from each of the following eight (8) criteria:
The board’s support for educational performance
Support for educational improvement projects
Commitment to a code of ethics
Maintenance of harmonious and supportive relationships among members of the board
Functions as a policy-making body with adherence to adopted policies
Provision of financial support for the school system
Participation in workshops and other performance improvement programs
Public relations efforts, including community awareness
Two awards may be bestowed each year:
1 school district under student enrollment of 1,500
1 school district above student enrollment of 1,500
Each award will be based on a board’s performance over the school year immediately prior to the year in which the award is granted.
Dr. Daniel L. Pilkinton Award for Outstanding Service to Public Education
This honor is awarded to outstanding individuals who have made substantive contributions to public education. This award is presented at the Annual Conference in December.
ASBA Educational Foundation Scholarship Program
ASBA awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors who are children of Arkansas school board members and who will attend Arkansas institutions of higher learning in the fall. The awards are based on a student’s academic record and leadership potential. One award is made in each of the four congressional districts. The J.K. Williams Memorial Scholarship, established in memory of former ASBA Executive Director J.K. Williams, is awarded to a student pursuing an advanced degree in the educational field.