Full Board Awards
How Are ASBA Full Board Awards Selected?
Selection Criteria:
- ASBA Member District
Nominees must be associated with an ASBA member district. - Leadership and Governance
The Lou Ella Kleinz Excellence in Governance Award recognizes boards that demonstrate leadership in key areas like student achievement, educational equity, and community collaboration. - Professional Development
The Total Board Award is earned when a quorum of the board members has achieved the Certificate of Boardsmanship through ASBA’s training programs. - Peer Recognition
Boards are nominated by peers or district leaders, reflecting a board’s exemplary service and leadership within the education community.
Types of Full Board Awards
Total Board Award
This award recognizes governing boards where at least a quorum of members has earned the Certificate of Boardsmanship, and all members have earned their Certificate of Orientation. The award is based on Continuing Education Unit (CEU) records, and it celebrates a board’s collective commitment to professional development and excellence in governance.
Presented at the ASBA-ASA Annual Conference.
Lou Ella Kleinz Excellence in Governance Award
ASBA’s highest honor for a full governing board, this award celebrates outstanding educational leadership demonstrated by a board during the year. Named in honor of former ASBA Executive Director Lou Ella Kleinz, it highlights a board’s focus on students, education success, community collaboration, and fostering a culture of inclusion and high expectations.
Presented during the ASBA-ASA Annual Conference
Award Criteria
The winning board will demonstrate leadership and initiative in the following areas:
- Focus on Students
Prioritizes student success and well-being. - Goal Achievement
Shows progress in meeting the district’s goals. - Educational Success
Demonstrates a commitment to fostering educational success for all students. - Community Collaboration
Engages with families, social agencies, and other governing bodies to promote student success. - District Culture
Fosters an inclusive culture with high expectations and equal access for all students.
Boards that have previously won may reapply after seven years, provided the board’s composition has changed by at least a quorum.