Judging in 5 Easy Steps

Accessing the Contest System

The contest system runs on the ACES platform, developed by the Illinois Press Association.

Each judging pair will share a username to the contest system, which will be giving to you by the head judge. You may both log in to the system from separate computers, or share a screen. MIPA will provide you with login credentials on Judging Day.

Please note: If you each log in from different computers, please be extra careful that you don’t overwrite each other’s ratings or comments. To avoid this problem, we recommend that you DO NOT view the same entry at the same time on two different computers.

Step 1: Log In

Go to https://newspapercontest.com/mipa

Click on the Judges Login button.

You will be provided log-in information at judging orientation.

Step 2: View Each Entry

Once you log in, you will be able to see only the classes/categories assigned to you from the dropdown list. (ACES calls a category a “class.”)

Select a class from the list to begin.

You may need to scroll across or zoom out in your browser to see all of the information for an entry.

Click the Judge button for each entry to input ratings, comments and/or award placement.

All entries share a comment set of fields on the entry form. Some category directions ask the entrant to use these fields in specific ways. Please read the category description before you start judging the entries in that category.

Entries may contain URLs, JPG files or PDF documents, depending on the requirements of the category. You may need to copy and paste URLs into your browser. JPG or PDF files can be downloaded and viewed on your computer.

If a link or file does not open, please bring it to the attention of your contest chair.

 Step 3: Assign a Rating (Score) to Each Entry, from 1-10 (10 is EXEMPLARY)

Please use the category description, judging criteria and MIPA's scoring rubric to evaluate each entry.

NOTE: We do share ratings and judge comments with teachers of entry authors. We will review comments for appropriateness before sharing them.

Each judge may assign their own rating to each entry. (There is a Judge 1 rating field and a Judge 2 rating field.) If your judging team is viewing entries simultaneously, you may choose to only complete one rating field and leave the other blank.

You may use the Judge Notes field to leave comments or notes on an entry for your reference AND/OR for the entry author/teacher. You should not send messages to contest entrants under any circumstances. Assume comments you write will become public.

ACES has 1-10 rating system in a dropdown list. Each judging team should each enter a rating for every entry based on MIPA's scoring rubric. The list of entries is sortable by any field. After you record ratings, you and your partner judge can sort by ratings fields to identify top contenders for award placements.

Once you have evaluated an entry, click the Save button to record your notes and rating. You may then move on to the next entry.

Please note: Only one judge can enter ratings and comments on any single entry at a time. If multiple judges are viewing the same entry at the same time, you risk overwriting each others ratings and comments.

Step 4: Select Placements (Winners)

For each category, please choose the following placements:

Please do not award ties. If you and your partner cannot break a tie, please bring in another judge or your contest chair.

We like to encourage young journalists by giving out awards. Our preference is for you to award all three places and all four honorable mentions unless entries do not meet fundamental requirements of the category, entries violate contest rules, there are ethical problems with entries or you receive other instructions from a contest chair.

Do not skip placements. To have an Honorable Mention, you must have a 1st Place, 2nd Place and 3rd Place.

Be sure to click the green Save button for each entry to record your placements.

Step 5: ONCE YOU HAVE FINISHED JUDGING EVERY CATEGORY ASSIGNED TO YOU AND ARE READY TO LEAVE FOR THE DAY ...

Click the Done Judging? button.

Questions About Entries & Disqualifying Entries

Please see the contest chair with any questions you have about a particular entry. You should not contact the student entrant or their adviser under any circumstances (even if that person is in the same room helping to judge). Talk to the contest chair listed below. They will decide next steps.

Entries should not be disqualified without consulting the contest chair.

Questions?

Please see your contest chair or Jeremy, (cell: 517-214-2434)

Contest Chairs