National PTA Reflections Information

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Explore the Arts and Express Yourself

This program is for students of all grades and their parents and caregivers.

National PTA has a long-standing commitment to arts education. For over 50 years, Reflections has helped students explore their own thoughts, feelings and ideas, develop artistic literacy, increase confidence and find a love for learning. The Reflections program provides opportunities for recognition and access to the arts which boosts student confidence and success in the arts and in life.

Each year, hundreds of thousands of students in pre-K through grade 12 create original works of art in response to a student-created theme. Students submit in one or more of the available arts categories and, based on grade and/or support needs, participate in one of the program divisions.

To participate in Reflections, connect with your school PTA/PTSA to verify the Accessible Arts Division is available. If you or your student is a PPS student in a school:

  • Whose PTA/PTSA is not participating in Reflections

  • That doesn’t have a PTA or PTSA

  • With a PTA/PTSA that isn’t including the Accessible Arts Division

  • Or if you prefer to enter through SEPTSA


Then please enter through PPS Special Education PTSA!

ACCESSIBLE ARTS Division is an option for students who identify as having a disability and may receive services under IDEA or ADA: Section 504. The division welcomes students of all ages and offers division-specific accommodations to ensure that every student has the chance to participate fully in the program. 

Once confirmed, students check the box on the Student Entry Form to opt-in to participating in the Division. Students also select an arts category and grade-level division.

Division Participation Overview

By participating in the division, students will:

  • Compete against other students in the Accessible Arts Division and be awarded as part of the division.

  • Follow the general rules and arts category guidelines specific to their submissions, modified only by non-artistic accommodations for individuals with disabilities and division-specific accommodations.

  • When relevant, compete against other students based on the selected grade-level division.

Additional Participation Options

Students with disabilities that do not wish to enter the Accessible Arts Division may compete and be awarded in their relevant grade-level division (based on school grade). Students may receive only non-artistic accommodations.

Accepted Accommodations

Any accommodation should be both specific and limited to the student’s disability and should not impact the artistic process. The following provides a non-exhaustive list of allowable accommodations.

Non-Artistic Accommodations

  • Use of adaptive technology or assistive devices are allowed.

  • While the artist directs the process, assistants (a parent, teacher, other adult) may help with executing the artist's vision with typing, transcribing, etc.

Division-Specific Accommodations

  • Use the “Additional Details” field to provide details about how a student’s disability and/or support needs impacted their creative process (10 to 100 words, optional).

  • As necessary, students may select the grade-level division most closely aligned to their support needs. Contact your local PTA and/or state PTA for additional details.

Not Accepted Accommodations

Assistants to student artists may not, in any way, involve themselves in the actual artistic process or act without direction from the artist. The following provides a non-exhaustive list of assistance that is not accepted:

  • Personally selecting a title for artwork and/or writing, editing or interpreting a student’s artist statement.

  • Drafting/editing language for literature or film; creating/editing footage or music.

  • Composing music, writing lyrics, combining sounds; choreographing dance moves.

  • Creating/editing visual arts; selecting subjects, edits and camera angles for photos.