Poetry Out Loud

Classroom to state is a ladder. We already run that shape.

Coordinators use zFairs for registration, recitation rounds, judging, and moving winners up. This is software for coordinators at their level — not the official Poetry Out Loud national platform. Official POL is run through state arts agencies, the NEA, and the Poetry Foundation.

1
School or organization contest

Register students. Poem titles and order lock once submitted. One stream — school or organization, not both.

2
Rounds

Lower levels often one or two poems. State and national expect three. Judges score independently; no conferring.

3
Accuracy and performance

Live recitation, in person or virtual. Accuracy judge and prompter. Cumulative scores.

4
Advance the winner

Promote to the next level. Runner-up if the winner cannot go. Nationals is not a zFairs claim.

The challenge

Live performance, not a file-first contest. Official evaluation sheets. Poem-order lock. Volunteer coordinators at schools. Must not look like you replaced the state arts agency.

What we use here

Custom rubrics, sessions and rounds, virtual recitation if needed, advancement, certificates. Judging catalog