Leading Edge Award

As we look at the current landscape of public education, NSBA’s member associations have risen to the challenges we have faced over the past six months, and have adapted in ways we never imagined to meet the needs of the school districts and the schoolchildren we serve.

This year, we would like to hear about what you have done to engage, inform, and empower your members.  What creative measures and services has your association taken during this time to:

  • promote academic excellence for every child.
  • address socio-economic and equitable challenges, including access to information and resources, impacting your member districts.
  • made a meaningful impact on public education.

Regardless of the association staff size, every association has transformed how they provide resources and services to its members.  This year, the Committee would like to select three recipients, one from each size of association, small, medium, and large.  The association sizes are based on budget classification:

  • Small – up to $2.5 Million
  • Medium - $2.51 - $7.0 Million 
  • Large – Above $7.1 Million

The Committee invites you to share your successes by submitting an application for the 2021 National School Boards Association Leading Edge Award.

Should you have any questions, please contact Valarie Carty, State Association Services Director for additional details. 

Thank you for your commitment and time.

zSLtTP7sRHB42kA0WYQM_temp-T.jpg

Pam Doyle
2020 Chair, NSBA Leading Edge Award Committee & 
NSBA Southern Region Director

Previous Leading Edge Award Winners

Oklahoma School Boards Association (2020)
Video:  https://vimeo.com/449774687/c7619bd3fb

Leading Edge ASBJ Article 2020

Alabama Association of School Boards Association (2019)
Video: https://vimeo.com/352563560

Georgia School Boards Association (2019)

Video: https://vimeo.com/352569902 
Leading Edge ASBJ Article 2019


Tennessee School Boards Association (2018)
Video:  https://vimeo.com/284180956


Minnesota School Boards Association (2016)
Video: https://youtu.be/-4PYnTxKAjk
Application Process
All applications must include a description no more than 750 words, include 3-5 artifacts supporting the description, and 3-5 letters of support from local school boards which describe the impact of the program. All applications must be submitted online, including the above documentation, by 6:00 p.m. (Pacific) December 1, 2020.

If you have questions, please contact Valarie Carty at vcarty@nsba.org or Entoria Nicely at enicely@nsba.org.

Application Link - 2020NSBALeadingEdgeAward