Literacy Action Network ABE Award Information

Each year Literacy Action Network honors teachers, students, managers, advocates, and programs working and succeeding in Adult Basic Education. ABE individual and group awards will be handed out at the ABE Summer Institute Conference’s Annual ABE awards ceremony held Thursday evening, August 17th of the confer- ence. The PONI awards winners will be recognized and asked to give a brief 3-5 minute pre- sentation of their project at the Friday August 18th morning session at Summer Institute confer- ence.

Please take this opportunity recognize a person, program or project you feel deserves this hon- or and acknowledgement.

Award Categories

ABE Individual and Group Awards ABE Teacher of the Year: Given to a teacher in an ABE program to recognize outstanding perfor- mance as a teacher. ABE Outstanding Learner: Given to a learner who has made a significant impact on adult literacy and has a powerful commitment to volunteer and lead peers. ABE Leadership: Given to an individual in the ABE field who demonstrates exemplary leadership, flexibility, or creativity in his/her ABE program. Outstanding Service and Achievement Award: Given to an ABE professional who has dedicated at least 10 years to the field and whose service has made a significant impact on their program, their region or the state. ABE Advocacy Award: These awards can be given in many different categories for an individual/groups’ work in promoting/advocating for adult literacy and learners. ABE Partner Award: Given to a business, nonprofit organization, social service agency, or founda- tion that has provided significant assistance in serving learners or our communities.

Criteria for Individual and/or Group Awards 1. Contribution of nominees is extraordinary and significant (i.e. creative, unique, inno- vative, persistent, original, effective and/or resourceful). 2. Work exhibits high standards of quality and combined with quantity of the work, makes an impact on the literacy effort in a community or in Minnesota. 3. Dedication is shown by the length of involvement or by a strong concentration of ser- vice. 4. Nominee is currently active or has provided service within the past year.

PONI Award - ABE Projects of Need and Innovation Awards will be presented to outstanding projects that meet a unique need or demonstrate innovation in the field of ABE. A project is either a one-time event or an ongoing activity within an ABE program. In order to recognize as many projects of need and innovation, all projects meeting 80% of the crite- ria will receive a PONI award. Criteria for PONI Award 1. Provide evidence of cooperation and teamwork among people, agencies, institutions and/or organizations leading to improved student participation, persistence or achievement 1. Give examples of effective and efficient use of available resources, including people,facilities, and funding leading to improved student participation, persistence, or achievement. 2. Describe achievements of a program, team, or person which illustrate innovative programming or efforts that resulted in significant student achievement or success. 3. How is the local or regional community better because of this ABE project? How has the project had an impact on ABE statewide?

Nomination Requirements and Process

• All nominators must be members of Literacy Action Network. • Nominees do not have to be members of Literacy Action Network. • Individuals may submit as many entries as desired. • All nominations must be submitted electronically with the official nomination form • Each nomination may include a cover page, no more than two pages on the nomina- tion form itself, a one page bio, and up to three attachments to support the nomination (i.e. newspaper articles, other awards, etc.) • Selections are made by an Awards Committee of Literacy Action Network directed by the Professional Issues committee. All decisions are final. • Literacy Action Network reserves the right to limit the number and categories of awards each year. Award categories may change from year to year.

Please submit your nomination form by email to: info@literacyactionnetwork no later than May 1, 2017.