The Association of Educational Publishers (AEP) is seeking to expand its pool of educator judges for its annual awards program, and is looking for qualified educators to join its first ever National Educator Review Panel.

The AEP (on whose Board of Directors I serve as President) supports publishers and providers of educational content through advocacy, training, professional development, and other services.  Its annual awards program has highlighted publishers' excellence and innovation since 1967. In 2011, the AEP implemented a number of program upgrades, a key part of which was establishing a new judging process with a greatly expanded focus on educator review.

Involvement in the National Educator Review Panel is a great way for educators to learn more about the educational content development process and to provide valuable feedback directly to educational publishers.  In addition, panelists will have the opportunity to review and keep hundreds of dollars worth of new, cutting-edge educational materials and the option of attending Content in Context, AEP’s annual educational publishing conference, at a significantly reduced rate.

Judging is scheduled from February 8 through February 24 (and there is also a need for educators that could do reviews around March 19 through the end of the month). Assignments are based on age/grade level expertise and subject area interest. There are options to evaluate product remotely and/or at scheduled in-person evaluation days that will take place in the Washington, DC, and Philadelphia areas in February and March.

Not an educator? The AEP is looking to involve educational publishing professionals in the process as well. Industry judging takes place throughout March.

More detailed information about the program can be found at www.AEPweb.org/awards, and the new judging process is outlined at www.AEPweb.org/awards/judging.htm.

For more information, please contact Linda Swank at the AEP (302-295-8351 or lswank@aepweb.org).

Thanks,

Neal Goff

President

Egremont Associates