HOSTS M&I Best Practices Award Program

The purpose of the HOSTS M&I Best Practices Award is to honor schools that are setting the standards in best practices with their HOSTS students and within their community.

We would be honored if you would take a look at the application and scoring rubric and consider entering your program for an award.

We want to help showcase your work and your results, and we would be grateful to you for your consideration in applying this year. Based on input and past experience with our award application and processes, we have developed an application which is easier to understand and clearer in its expectations, and a network of support opportunities for you during the application process.

Four award levels have been created to honor programs in various states of best practices implementation excellence.

• Best Practices Distinguished Program Award - programs earning all 75 possible points in the application scoring process and showing continuing unparalleled program implementation.
• Best Practices Exemplary Program Award - programs earning all 67-74 possible points in the application scoring process and showing outstanding program implementation.
• Best Practices Commendable Program Award - programs earning all 57-66 possible points in the application scoring process and showing strong program implementation.
• Best Practices Honorable Mention Program Award - programs earning all 50-56 possible points in the application scoring process and showing emerging best practices in program implementation.

Schools earning an award will receive a certificate, a plaque, a logo for their
web site, a press release template to share with local media, and a program
profile that highlights their program and its success. The profile will be posted
on the HOSTS web site and will also be provided to the school.

Program Calendar

Informational Letter Sent to Schools
May 15

Website Support
May 15

• Program link available on the HOSTS website

• All forms available for download

• Helpful tips available

• e-Meeting schedule posted

HOSTS Phone Call
Various Dates

• A HOSTS representative will be calling each school
  to make sure your school received the application and
  to answer any questions you have.

Program Webinar Support
mid-August through October 1

• Webinars will be held to allow applicants to receive help with the application
  and to answer any questions.

Applications Due to HOSTS
October 15

Schools Notified of Results
October 30 (email)
October 30 (letter)
October 27 - 30 (phone call)

Awards Sent to Schools
November 17

• Schools will receive a letter, certificate, plaque, news release, school achievement results overview and logo.

Website Profiles
December 15

• Schools will be featured in a special profile on HOSTS website
  

How to Apply

HOSTS has worked hard to make the application process as simple as possible. Here are some tips on getting started.

1. Download the following program forms:

• M&I Best Practices Application 2007 - 2008

• M&I Best Practices Scoring Rubric 2007 - 2008

• M&I Best Practices Assessment Data Worksheet 2007 - 2008

2. Review the scoring rubric to understand how points will be allotted to your application.

3. Complete the application form on your computer as time permits. You can add to the document and save it while you work on it.

4. Gather the required exhibits and make copies. See the Tips section of the application to help give you ideas and to save you valuable time.

5. Three-hole punch the application and exhibits and place them in a 1/2”–1” binder.

6. Ship the binder so it is postmarked by October 15, 2008.

Mailing Instructions:

HOSTS Learning
ATTN: Best Practices
222 NE Park Plaza Drive, Suite 230
Vancouver, WA 98684-3402

Additional HOSTS Best Practice Documents

M&I Best Practices Award Application
M&I Best Practices Award Scoring Rubric
M&I Best Practices Assessment Data Worksheet
M&I Best Practices Letter to Schools