2025–2026 National Poetry Out Loud Changes — FAQ
What changed in the Poetry Out Loud anthology this year?
POL is using a new national online anthology created for the upcoming America 250 celebrations. Only poems in this new anthology are eligible for competition this year.
Can students still use poems from the old Poetry Foundation anthology?
No. The previous online and print anthologies are no longer used for competition. Students must select poems from the current 2025–2026 America 250 anthology on the national POL website.
Are there still poem requirement categories like past years?
No. The national program has removed all poem category requirements.
That means:
No more 25-lines-or-fewer requirement
No more pre–20th century requirement
Students may choose any three poems from the current anthology.
How many poems does a student need to prepare?
Students competing beyond the school level must have three poems prepared, all selected from the new anthology.
Why did the national program change the anthology?
The national team transitioned to a new collection because:
The Poetry Foundation is no longer managing POL poem rights
The new anthology focuses on America 250 themes
All selected poems are public domain, making the collection easier to maintain and update nationally
Where can I find the new anthology?
The full 2025–2026 anthology is available on the national Poetry Out Loud website. Educators and students can search poems, download the PDF, and explore new filters as they are added throughout the fall.
Are the competition rules or evaluation criteria different?
No. Performance, accuracy, and judging criteria remain the same. Only anthology and poem selection rules have changed.
How will NJPOL help educators navigate these updates?
The NJPOL team will:
Communicate national updates clearly in trainings and materials
Provide guidance on poem eligibility
Answer questions as schools prepare for competition season