The OSBA Aptitude Award requires a board member to demonstrate an understanding and comprehension of a variety of board governance skills based on six leadership areas: vision, accountability, policy, community engagement, relationships and advocacy.
Timeline
The assessment period is Monday, June 9, 2025 through Friday, July 4, 2025. The awards are presented at the fall regional conferences.
Assessment process
Board members can take the assessment at their convenience in the designated time frame during June and July. The assessment will be offered annually.
OSBA has materials to help board members prepare prior to the annual assessment. Board members can choose from a list of activities to help them prepare, including self-directed reading, attendance at workshops or participating in webinars. See "Resources to help you prepare" below. Note that these activities also may count toward a board member's Training or Service awards.
Registering for the assessment
The assessment is free, but you must register to take it. Click on the blue "Register Now" link on the right side of this page. Note: This link will not be available until the assessment period begins.
After you register, you will receive an email that includes a link to the assessment. Click the link and use your OSBA log in credentials to begin the assessment.
Requirements
To receive this award, board members must receive an 80% passing score on the online assessment. You will receive your score after you complete the assessment. If you did not reach the 80% passing score, you can retake the assessment again at any time during the annual assessment period to achieve a better result. You do not need to reregister to retake the assessment.
What to expect during the assessment
Each assessment is 50 questions, worth two points each. Questions are a blend of multiple choice and true/false questions that focus on board governance.
You may take as long as you need to complete the assessment. We expect it to take approximately an hour to complete it. You must complete the assessment before logging out.
This is an open-book assessment; you may use any resources on the OSBA website or from any OSBA publications to assist you.
Sample questions
A standard board member term of office is for:
A. one year
B. two years
C. four years
D. eight years
The term for board members elected in a November general election begins:
A. the day after the November general election
B. Dec. 1
C. Jan. 1
D. on a date agreed to by the board of education
Resources to help you prepare
You can use OSBA publications, fact sheets and webpages to help you prepare for the assessment, as well as while you are taking the assessment. Note: this is not a comprehensive list of all resources.