1. What does STARS stand for?
2. Is there an application fee? Is there any cost to our department/school?
3. Is this an individual teacher award, like the NASPE Teacher of the Year (TOY) program?
4. Can one member of our department elect to not participate in the process? Can our department leave any member out of the process?
5. Who can apply for a STARS award?
6. What if my school’s grade range covers two levels such as elementary and middle school? What if we are a K-8 school, 6-12 school, or some other non-traditional school structure?
7. Should we collect every piece of evidence/documentation that we possibly can and send copies of that in for every criterion?
8. Can we send copies of student work or student records?
9. What if we meet all criteria at a particular level (e.g., level 2) except for one criterion?
10. What if we can’t think of any evidence to provide to show that we meet a criterion?
11. When and where will our program be recognized nationally?
12. What if no one from our school can attend the national convention?
13. What else will we get to tell the world that we are a STARS award program winner?
14. When can we apply for the SuperSTARS level?
15. If we apply, are we guaranteed to be recognized as a STARS school?
16. How is SuperSTARS different from STARS?
17. When must a school re-apply to maintain continuous STARS status?

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1. What does STARS stand for?	[ Back to top ]
STARS is not an acronym, it is a recognition program. It s the name of NASPE’s national recognition program designed to honor outstanding physical education programs. STARS stands for quality physical education.
2. Is there an application fee? Is there any cost to our department/school?	[ Back to top ]
Yes. The fee for Levels 1-3 is $150.00 for Levels 1-3 which is used to offset the cost of administering the review process. The cost for the SuperSTARS Level is estimated at $750.00 that will cover the cost of the portfolio review and the required site visit to the school.
3. Is this an individual teacher award, like the NASPE Teacher of the Year (TOY) program?	[ Back to top ]
No. STARS recognizes school physical education programs rather than individual teachers. If there are three physical education teachers in a school physical education department, then all three teachers cooperate to submit the required documentation to reflect the entire program. The cooperation and contribution of all members of the physical education department is necessary to conduct a quality program, assess the program, and provide the documentation necessary to review. Review the criteria chart and teacher packet to note those criterion which indicate representative documentation from all teachers in the department
4. Can one member of our department elect to not participate in the process? Can our department leave any member out of the process?	[ Back to top ]
No. This program is intended to recognize the quality of your school’s entire physical education program. If there is a weak link in the program, that needs to be addressed and corrected instead of omitted or ignored. Experience is showing that this process helps to increase team work in the department and strengthen the program regardless of whether or not STARS recognition is achieved.
5. Who can apply for a STARS award?	[ Back to top ]
Any elementary school, middle school, junior high school, high school, or multi-level school, public or private, and American schools abroad can apply. The department chairperson or a teacher in the physical education department can serve as the “contact person” and can submit the portfolio of evidence to show how each criterion is met. However, the cooperation and contributions of all members of the physical education department is necessary to conduct a quality program, assess the program, and provide the documentation necessary for review. Review the criteria chart to note those criterion which indicate representative documentation from all teachers (see Teacher Packet) in the department.
6. What if my school’s grade range covers two levels such as elementary and middle school? What if we are a K-8 school, 6-12 school, or some other non-traditional school structure?	[ Back to top ]
When your program works with two different levels, you must make two applications and submit evidence for each level. Or your program can elect to apply only at one level (e.g., K-4 is elementary).
7. Should we collect every piece of evidence/documentation that we possibly can and send copies of that in for every criterion?	[ Back to top ]
Too much evidence/documentation may result in being difficult for the reviewers to locate and remember the information you’ve provided. Provide only the pieces of evidence required for each criterion (see section called “Required Evidence” following each criterion.) If you have numerous pieces of evidence for one criterion, please select one or two items that best meet the criterion. Summarize additional items in the narrative to enhance your evidence. Save space by avoiding duplications such as entering a blank form as documentation and the same form, completed as an example.
8. Can we send copies of student work or student records?	[ Back to top ]
Yes. Copies of student work are required as “examples” for some criterion. However, be very careful about privacy laws and delete student last names from student work and teacher records from the documents used.
9. What if we meet all criteria at a particular level (e.g., level 2) except for one criterion?	[ Back to top ]
You will be recognized at the STARS level at which you meet every criteria. If you meet all criteria at level 2 except one criterion. but you meet all criteria for level 1, you will be recognized at STAR level 1. Note that if you have one criterion that falls below all the rest the review team may ask you to provide additional evidence to be further reviewed. You may also ask for an exception for one criterion for which you cannot provide evidence.
10. What if we can’t think of any evidence to provide to show that we meet a criterion?	[ Back to top ]
Contact Marian Franck, NASPE STARS Project Coordinator (703-476-3396 Ext 3960 or mfranck@aahperd.org) for assistance. Your questions are welcomed to ensure that this experience goes smoothly for your teachers.
11. When and where will our program be recognized nationally?	[ Back to top ]
Programs that achieve STARS recognition will be honored at the AAHPERD National Convention immediately following your submission date. The Celebration of Teaching Reception is the official recognition event. We hope that one or more of your department and administration will plan to attend the national convention and will be able to attend this reception. This is a very special, invitation-only affair that includes National Board Certified Teachers in Physical Education, NASPE District and National Teachers of the Year, and, SARS recipients. That an honor to be included on the guest list of his special celebration!!!
12. What if no one from our school can attend the national convention?	[ Back to top ]
Your school will be acknowledged as a STARS school at the level of your achievement. All other recognitions and incentives will be presented and award materials sent to you.
13. What else will we get to tell the world that we are a STARS award program winner?	[ Back to top ]
All STARS levels will receive certificates and letters of recognition as well as a banner to hang in your school. A letter of recognition will be sent to your school board and a news release will be sent to the local newspaper(s) that you identify in your application. Your school program will be listed on the STARS Schools web page. At the various STARS levels, there will be other incentives presented to recognize the hard work that goes into providing quality physical education for all students. A STARS Store is linked at the web site where teachers who are a part of a STARS faculty can purchase STARS items.
14. When can we apply for the SuperSTARS level?	[ Back to top ]
Schools who have achieved STARS Level 3 recognition are eligible to apply for SuperSTARS. The SuperSTARS criteria will be available by August 30, 2006. The first submission deadline for SuperSTARS will be June 30, 2007 for recognition in 2008. An on-site visit by reviewers will be required as part of the SuperSTARS application process.
15. If we apply, are we guaranteed to be recognized as a STARS school?	[ Back to top ]
No, applying does not guarantee that you meet all criteria for recognition. If your program cannot adequately document that it meets all criteria at least level 1, you will not receive STARS recognition on that application attempt. However, you will receive valuable feedback about your program and application and are encouraged to make improvements and re-apply. The evaluative report you will receive will provide important information useful in gaining support for program improvement.
16. How is SuperSTARS different from STARS?	[ Back to top ]
SuperSTARS is the fourth level of achievement in the NASPE STARS program for which only those schools who are currently recognized as 3 STARS schools. The criteria for SuperSTARS go beyond the 3 STARS level and provide opportunity for schools to describe unique and innovative aspects of the physical education program. The requirements include the preparation of a portfolio of evidence which demonstrates how the school meets the SuperSTARS criteria. An on-site visit is also required for and is scheduled for schools whose portfolio receive a score of at least 90% in each of four categories.
17. When must a school re-apply to maintain continuous STARS status?	[ Back to top ]
If a school wants to make sure they have continuous STARS status they must apply the Oct 15 deadline of the third year of its current STARS status.  If a STARS expiration date is 2007, the submission date for continuous STARS status would be October 15, 2006, so that the next recognition period would be 2007-2010 (or continuous STARS status), provided the portfolio submitted in 2006 achieved a STARS level score..  If they waited until Oct 15, 2007 to re-apply their award status would be listed as 2008-2011 (or a gap of 1 year -- not continuous).