2025 Innovations in Special Education Award Program
Special Education Week 2025 is May 12-16
About the Innovations in Special Education Awards
The annual Innovations in Special Education Awards recognize the exemplary programs and services for students with special needs provided by public school districts and private special education schools in New Jersey.
The program is part of Special Education Week in New Jersey and is sponsored by the New Jersey School Boards Association (NJSBA) and ASAH, serving private special education schools and agencies since 1974.
Highlight your school’s exemplary programs and services for students with special needs by entering the 2025 Innovations in Special Education Award program.
If you have a new, successful, groundbreaking program that has been in place for at least three school years (on or before September 2021), the New Jersey School Boards Association wants to hear about it.
Programs started on or after September 2024 will not be considered.
Since it began in 2002, the Innovations program has drawn wide interest from the state’s special education community. In 2024 five entries received top honors. Learn more about the 2024 winners. The details of each program are described in the video that can be accessed here.
Submission Procedure for 2025
Complete the innovations-entry-form 2025 and email it to Ann Marie Smith, assistant editor/program specialist.
Entries must be submitted electronically and are limited to the entry form only. Include a detailed, specific description of the program in the space provided on the form. Answer each of the program description questions included on the form. The accuracy and clarity of the description matters. Be clear and succinct. If judges have questions, they cannot evaluate the merits of the program. Supplemental information such as photos, brochures, news articles, hard copies, etc., must be merged into the entry form as one document. Separate supplementary documents may not be considered if emailed as separate documents.
Read the instructions for completing the entry form carefully. Criteria and qualification information requested has been updated for 2025. Incomplete information may not be considered.
Entries must be received by 4:30 p.m., March 21, 2025. No exceptions.
Winners will be acknowledged in a video presentation during Special Education Week in New Jersey, May 12-16, 2025, and by the New Jersey Department of Education’s Special Education Advisory Council meeting in June 2025.
Resources to Celebrate Special Education Week in New Jersey
For further information about the Annual Special Education Award program, contact Ann Marie Smith, assistant editor / program specialist at amsmith@njsba.org.