National PTA receives many inquiries about eligibility, specific arts areas, student information protection, and the judging process. The following information addresses these concerns.

Participation

Who is eligible to participate?
Participation in the Reflections Program is open to any student through a local PTA/PTSA in good standing. It is the responsibility of the local unit to determine each student’s eligibility in the Reflections Program.

May students participate through a local PTA not affiliated with their school?
State PTAs may adopt policies regarding this situation. National PTA requires only that national entries come from local PTAs in good standing.

May home-schooled students participate in the Reflections Program?
State PTAs may adopt policies regarding this situation. National PTA requires only that national participants come from local PTAs in good standing.

Under what division should developmentally challenged students participate?
National PTA believes that each child with a disability should be provided a free and appropriate public education. Therefore, the Reflections Program at the national level does not have a special division for students with disabilities. National PTA believes it is the right of parents to place their child in the Reflections Program grade division that best reflects the child’s developmental age. However, guidelines for state and local Reflections Programs vary.

May developmentally or physically challenged students receive help from a parent or teacher?
Rules or policies regarding developmentally or physically challenged students are left up to the discretion of each chair and may be handled on a case-by-case basis.

Use of Copyrighted Material

May students use copyrighted material as a source for their artwork?
Use of copyrighted material is not acceptable in visual arts collages or any art area.

Literature

May a student use unacceptable language in an entry?
The Reflections Program makes no restriction on content or subject in the literature area. Students who are submitting entries created in a school setting should be mindful of school and/or local or state PTA standards for writing. Judges should be reminded that entries are to be reviewed for creativity, artistic merit, and interpretation of the theme.

Musical Composition

May a student use notation software for creating musical composition scores?
A student may use composition software. Imported MIDI files or files from other sources are not acceptable.

Photography

May a student submit computer-manipulated photos?
National PTA accepts electronic as well as film photos.

Visual Arts

May a student submit computer-generated visual artworks?
National PTA accepts visual arts pieces generated on a computer.

Student Information Protection

How does a PTA protect student information on artwork?
When artwork is on display, label only the back of the piece with the student’s information and entry form. No one outside of PTA should have access to student information.