Rules for Local Spelling Bees

Preface
We encourage spellers, parents, teachers, and spelling bee officials to read these rules prior to any spelling
bee.
These rules are guidelines designed to assist spelling bee officials and spellers at the local level. Spellers should check
with their local spelling bee officials for the rules in effect in their area. Spelling bee officials include the pronouncer,
judges, coordinator and sponsor.
While local spelling bee officials have the prerogative to amend Rules 2 through 11, amendments—
particularly any amendments to the end-of-bee procedure—should be undertaken only with careful
consideration of the various outcomes that may result from the amendments.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee has no authority over the conduct of local spelling bees (namely, spelling bees
other than the Scripps National Spelling Bee near Washington, D.C.). Consequently, the national office will not
render judgments relating to the conduct of local spelling bees. Individuals bearing complaints about the conduct of
local spelling bees should register their concerns with local spelling bee officials. DECISIONS OF LOCAL
SPELLING BEE OFFICIALS ARE FINAL.
These Rules for Local Spelling Bees are not the rules in effect at the Scripps National Spelling Bee near
Washington, DC. When a local spelling bee official says, “We use the national rules,” he or she is probably
indicating that the Rules for Local Spelling Bees are in effect.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee near Washington, D.C. operates under a significantly different set of rules called
the Contest Rules of the 2014 Scripps National Spelling Bee. These rules contain provisions that are specific to
unique conditions at the event near Washington, D.C. Their successful implementation at the local level is considered
impossible and therefore is not recommended.

Rules
1. Eligibility: A speller qualifying for the 2014
Scripps National Spelling Bee near Washington,
D.C. must meet these requirements:
(1) The speller must not have won a Scripps
National Spelling Bee championship near
Washington, D.C.
(2) The speller must attend a school that is
officially enrolled with the Scripps National
Spelling Bee.
discretion, determine the speller’s eligibility
status on or before April 30, 2014.
(5) The speller—or the speller’s parent, legal
guardian, or school official acting on the
speller’s behalf—must not have declared to
another entity an academic classification higher
than eighth grade for any purpose, including
high school graduation equivalency or
proficiency examinations and/or examinations
such as the PSAT, SAT, or ACT.

(3) The speller must not have passed
beyond the eighth grade on or before
February 1, 2014.
(4) The speller must not have repeated fourth,
fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth grade for the
purpose of extending spelling bee eligibility. If
the speller has repeated fourth, fifth, sixth,
seventh, or eighth grade, the speller must notify
the Scripps National Spelling Bee of the
circumstances of grade repetition by March 31,
2014; and the Scripps National Spelling Bee
will, at its sole
(6) The speller must not have earned the
legal equivalent of a high school diploma.
(7) The speller must not have completed or
have been enrolled in more than six high
school-level courses or two college-level
courses on or before April 30, 2014.
(8) The speller must not eschew normal
school activity to study for spelling bees. The
Scripps National Spelling Bee defines normal
school activity as adherence to at least four
courses of study other than

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Rules for Local Spelling
Bees
 language arts, spelling, Latin, Greek, vocabulary,
and etymology for at least four hours per
weekday for 34 of the 38 weeks between August
27, 2013, and May 18,
2014.
(9) The speller must not have reached his/her
15th birthday on or before August 31, 2013.
(10) The speller must have been declared a
champion of a final local spelling bee on or
after February 1, 2014.
(11) Once having been disqualified at any
level of a sponsor’s spelling bee program
between June 2013 and April 2014, the speller
remains disqualified for the 2014 Scripps
National Spelling Bee and may not seek
advancement in the 2014 Scripps National
Spelling Bee program through another sponsor
and/or enrollment in another school.
(12) The speller, upon qualifying for the 2014
Scripps National Spelling Bee near Washington,
D.C., must submit a completed Champion Bio
Form, a Certification of Eligibility Form, a
signed Appearance Consent and Release Form
and a photo to the Scripps National Spelling
Bee. The speller will notify the Bee—at least 24
hours prior to the first day of competition in the
2014 Scripps National Spelling Bee in
Washington, D.C.—if any of the statements
made on the Certification of Eligibility Form are
no longer true or require updating. The speller’s
sponsor will provide access to the necessary
forms.
(13) The speller must not have any first-,
second- or third-degree relatives (i.e. sibling,
parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew,
half-sibling, first cousin or great grandparent)
who are current employees of The E.W. Scripps
Company.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee may disqualify
prior to or during competition any speller who is not
in compliance with any of its eligibility
requirements; and it may—at any time between the
conclusion of the 2014 Scripps National Spelling
Bee and April 30, 2015— require any speller who is
found to have not been in compliance with any of
the eligibility requirements to forfeit the prizes,
rank, and
other benefits accorded to the speller as a result of
participation in the 2014 Scripps National Spelling
Bee.
2. Format: The spelling bee is conducted in
rounds. Each speller remaining in the spelling bee at
the start of a round spells one word or answers one
vocabulary question in each round
— except in the case of a written, multiple choice, or
online test. The spelling bee may be conducted orally
or in writing or in a manner that is a combination of
the two; however, if the spelling bee officials specify
an oral format, the speller may not demand a written
format except under the conditions of Rule 4.
3. Word list: Local spelling bee officials are
responsible for selecting the word lists for use at each
local spelling bee. Many local spelling bee officials
use word lists generated by the Scripps National
Spelling Bee. These lists include many words that
appear in the current edition of Spell It! as well as
some “end-of-bee” words. All words on Scripps
National Spelling Bee word lists are entries in
Webster’s Third New International Dictionary and
its addenda section, copyright 2002, Merriam-
Webster, the official dictionary of the Scripps
National Spelling Bee.
4. Special needs: Spelling bee officials will strive
to provide accommodation for spellers who have
physical challenges. All requests for spelling bee
officials to accommodate special needs involving
sight, hearing, speech, or movement should be
directed to spelling bee officials well in advance of
the spelling bee date. The judges have discretionary
power to amend oral and/or written spelling
requirements on a case-by-case basis for spellers
with diagnosed medical conditions involving sight,
hearing, speech, or movement.
5. Pronouncer’s role: The pronouncer strives to
pronounce words according to the diacritical
markings in Scripps National Spelling Bee word
lists.
In Oral Spelling Rounds:
Homonyms: If a word has one or more
homonyms, the pronouncer indicates which
word is to be spelled by defining the word.
Speller’s sentence, part
requests: The of speech,
pronouncer language(s) of
responds to the origin, and
speller’s alternate
requests for a pronunciation(
definition, s). When
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Rules for Local Spelling Bees
presented with National items are answered to face them
requests for Spelling Bee correctly. They also when
alternate word list. render final pronouncing and
pronunciations, decisions on appeals spelling the word.
the pronouncer In Oral Vocabulary in accordance with
or an aide to the Rounds: Rule 11. They are in Notice of rules:
pronouncer complete control of The judges ensure
checks for Procedure: the competition and that all spellers
alternate The their decision is and audience
pronunciations pronouncer final on all members are
in either reads aloud questions. given an
Webster’s the opportunity to
Third New vocabulary Interaction with receive a complete
International question and the speller: copy of the rules
Dictionary and both options Because seeing prior to the start of
its addenda (A) and (B), the speller’s lip the spelling bee.
section, but does not movements may
copyright 2002, indicate be critical in Misunderstanding
Merriam- which is detecting s: The judges
Webster or correct. misunderstandin participate in the
Merriam- gs or exchange of
Webster’s Homonyms: If misspellings, the information
Collegiate a word has judges between the
Dictionary, one or more encourage speller and
eleventh homonyms, spellers pronouncer if
edition. The the they feel that
pronouncer pronouncer clarification is
does not indicates needed. Also, the
entertain root which word is judges listen
word questions, in question by carefully to the
requests for spelling the speller’s
alternate word aloud. pronunciation of
definitions, or the word; and, if
requests for Speller’s they sense that
markedly requests: The the speller has
slower pronouncer misunderstood
pronunciation. responds to the word, the
the speller’s judges work with
Pronouncer’s requests for the speller and
sense of the question pronouncer until
helpfulness: and/or answer they are satisfied
The pronouncer options to be that reasonable
may offer word repeated. The attempts have
information— pronouncer been made to
without the may also assist the speller
speller having provide the in understanding
requested the spelling of the the word. While
information—if word in the judges are
the pronouncer question. responsible for
senses that the attempting to
information is 6. Judges’ role: detect a speller’s
helpful and the The judges uphold misunderstanding
information is the rules and , it is sometimes
presented in the determine whether impossible to
entry for the or not words are detect a
word in a 2014 spelled correctly misunderstanding
Scripps or vocabulary until an error has
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Rules for Local Spelling Bees
been made. The receive the word In a spelling round,
judges are not or question; (3) the speller makes an In an oral vocabulary
responsible for the who does not effort to face the round, a speller may
speller’s comply with the judges and pronounce answer the question
misunderstanding. eligibility the word for the by providing (1) the
requirements; (4) judges before spelling letter associated with
Pronouncer errors: who engages in it and after spelling it. the chosen answer, (2)
The judges unsportsmanlike The speller while the chosen answer or
compare the conduct; (5) facing the judges (3) both. If the correct
pronouncer’s who, in the makes an effort to answer is identified by
pronunciation with process of utter each letter (1) associated letter
the diacritical retracing a distinctly and with alone or (2) by answer
markings in the spelling, alters sufficient volume to alone or (3) by both
word list. If the the letters or be understood by the correct letter and
judges feel that the sequence of judges. The speller correct answer, the
pronouncer’s letters from those may ask the speller is correct.
pronunciation first uttered; (6) pronouncer to say the
does not match the who, in the word again, define it, For example: If the
pronunciation process of use it in a sentence, speller is offered the
specified in the spelling, utters provide the part of question, “What is
diacritical unintelligible or speech, provide the porridge made
markings, the nonsense sounds; language(s) of origin, from? A. fur, or B.
judges direct the or and/or provide an grain,” each of the
pronouncer to (7) who, in the alternate following methods
correct the error as process of pronunciation or of answering is
soon as it is providing an pronunciations. correct: “B,”
detected. answer in an oral “grain,” or “B.
vocabulary Misunderstandin grain.”
Disqualifications round, provides a gs: The speller is
for reasons other blend of correct responsible for 8. Correction of a
than error: The and incorrect any misspelling: The
judges will information (For misunderstandin pronouncer and judges
disqualify a speller example: If in g of the word will not ask the speller
(1) who refuses a answering the unless (1) the to correct another
request to start question, “What pronouncer speller’s misspelling,
spelling or to is porridge made never provided a even in end-of-bee
provide an answer from? correct circumstances.
to a vocabulary A. fur, or B. pronunciation;
question; grain,” the (2) the 9. Errors: Upon
(2) who does not speller provides pronouncer providing an incorrect
approach the as an answer provided spelling of a word or
microphone when either ”A. grain” incorrect an incorrect answer to
it is time to or “B. fur.”). information a vocabulary question,
Speller activities failing to note the regarding the the speller
that do not merit capitalization of a definition, part immediately drops out
disqualification: word, the of speech, or of the competition,
The judges may presence of a language of except as provided in
not disqualify a diacritical mark, origin; or (3) the Rule 10.
speller (1) for the presence of a speller correctly
failing to hyphen or other spelled a
pronounce the form of homonym of the
word either punctuation, or word and the
before or after spacing between pronouncer
spelling it, (2) words in an open failed to either
for asking a compound. offer a definition
question, or (3) or distinguish the
for noting or 7. Speller’s role: homonyms.
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Rules for Local Spelling Bees
10. End-of-bee correctly or Example: Two Example: Two
procedure: answers a spellers spell in spellers spell
vocabulary Round 10. in Round 16.
Speller 14 Speller 3
If all spellers in question
misspells. spells
a round correctly: If Speller 25 correctly.
misspell or only one speller spells Speller 9
answer spells correctly correctly. misspells.
vocabulary in a round, a Speller 25 Speller 3
questions new one-word begins Round begins Round
incorrectly: If spelling round 11—a one- 17—a one-
none of the begins and the word round— word round—
spellers speller is given and is offered and is offered
the anticipated the anticipated
remaining in an opportunity
championship championship
the spelling bee to spell a word word. Speller word. Speller
at the start of a on the list 25 correctly 3 correctly
round spells a (anticipated spells the spells the
word correctly championship anticipated anticipated
or answers a word). If the championship championship
vocabulary speller succeeds word and is word and is
question in correctly declared declared
correctly during spelling the champion. champion.
that round, all anticipated
remain in the championship VERY championship
competition word in this IMPORTANT: word. Round 10
If a speller begins and
and a new one-word round, includes Spellers
spelling round the speller is misspells the
12, 23, and 37.
begins. declared the anticipated The rules
champion. championship prescribe that
Ties: All word in a one- spellers 12, 23,
spellers Example: In word round: A and 37 spell in
eliminated in Round 12 there new spelling their original
the same round are four round begins order; so Speller
are tied for the spellers. with ALL the 12 gets the next
Spellers 6 and spellers who word on the list
same place. 21 misspell. even though
After the participated in
Speller 30 Speller 12
champion has spells the previous misspelled the
been correctly. round. These previous word on
determined, Speller 42 spellers spell in the list. Round 10
spelling bee misspells. So, their original is not complete
officials may Speller 30 is order. until all three
opt to conduct the only speller spellers have
in the round to Example: In spelled.
tiebreakers (of
spell correctly. Round 8 there
their own Speller 30 are three Tip: Spelling bee
design) if begins Round spellers. Speller officials may find
tiebreakers are 13—a one- 12 spells it helpful to
necessary for word round— correctly and designate a record
the awarding and is offered Spellers 23 and
the anticipated keeper or judge to
of prizes or the 37 misspell.
championship track the progress
determination Round 9—a one-
word. Speller word round— of spellers
of qualifying
30 correctly begins, and throughout the
spellers for the
spells the Speller 12 is rounds. The
next level of anticipated offered the record keeper’s
competition. championship anticipated information will
word and is championship be helpful in
If only one declared word. Speller 12
champion. preventing end-
speller in a misspells the
of-bee confusion.
round spells anticipated
page 5
Rules for Local Spelling Bees
11. Appeals: The must be made While the elimination from
speller’s parent(s), before the speller competition is the spelling bee
legal guardian, or would have in session, was due to
teacher may appeal to received his/her individuals who pronunciation
the judges for the next word had have filed error should be
speller’s he/she stayed in appeals may not denied unless
reinstatement the spelling bee. directly there is
provided that the A written appeal approach the agreement that
appeal is in must provide the judges unless the pronouncer
compliance with the speller’s name, explicit never offered a
appeal protocol. The the word in permission to correct
judges render a final question, and the approach the pronunciation.
decision on the reason the judges has been
appeal in accordance speller should be given. The Alternate
with the reinstated. judges will pronunciations:
reinstatement contact the An appeal
protocol. speller if they claiming that the
decide to pronouncer did
Appeal protocol reinstate the not offer
speller. To alternate
A written appeal minimize pronunciations
must be hand disruption to the should be denied
delivered to the pace of the unless it is
designated spelling bee and determined that
official (usually the the speller
the spelling bee concentration of requested
coordinator/dire the spellers, the alternate
ctor). The judges are under pronunciations
deadline for no obligation to and the
delivering an stop the spelling pronouncer did
appeal is before bee in order to not
the speller discuss with the accommodate the
affected would speller’s speller’s request
have received parent(s), legal for alternate
his/her next guardian, or pronunciations
word had he/she teacher a denied and it appears
stayed in the appeal. The that the speller’s
spelling bee; judges’ spelling almost
however, to decisions are matches the
minimize final and are correct spelling.
disruptions to subject neither
the spelling bee, to review nor to Speller’s
every effort reversal by the misunderstandin
should be made Scripps g: An appeal
to deliver an National claiming that the
appeal by the Spelling Bee’s speller’s
end of the round headquarters elimination from
in which the office. the spelling bee
speller was was due to the
eliminated. Reinstatement speller’s not
When five or protocol understanding
fewer spellers the word [its
remain, the Pronouncer pronunciation(s)
written appeal mispronunciati and/or other
requirement is on: An appeal information
suspended, and claiming that a about the word]
an oral appeal speller’s should be
page 6
Rules for Local Spelling Bees
denied. It is the that the word to define the Bee officials
speller’s was indeed word and the failed to correct
responsibility spelled speller correctly a
to understand correctly. spelled a misunderstandin
the word. homonym of the g: An appeal
Exception: If word. claiming that the
Speller offered the speller’s
spelling is speller
correct spelling Homonym in an misspelled or
for a word in listed in oral vocabulary incorrectly
Webster’s
this guide: An Third New
round: An appeal answered
appeal claiming Internationa claiming that the because the
that the speller l Dictionary speller’s judges and/or
correctly and its elimination was pronouncer
spelled the addenda unfair because the failed to correct
word should be section, speller’s word is a the speller’s
denied unless Merriam- homonym should
Webster, mispronunciatio
an audio be denied unless n of the word
copyright
recording of the pronouncer should be
2002, the
the bee’s speller failed to spell the denied. It is
proceedings or should be word and the sometimes
bee officials’ reinstated if speller identified impossible to
recollections all of the an answer detect a speller’s
clearly indicate following matching the mispronunciatio
three criteria definition of a n or
are met: (1) The as indicated in a homonym of the misunderstandin
pronunciations dictionary other word. g, and
of the words are than Webster’s ultimately it is
identical, (2) Incorrect or
Third: An appeal the
the definitions unsolicited
of the words are claiming that the responsibility of
speller spelled information: An the speller to
identical, and
(3) the words the word appeal claiming understand and
are clearly correctly that the speller’s correctly
identified as according to a elimination was pronounce the
being standard dictionary other unfair because the word.
variants of each than Webster’s pronouncer
other. Spellings Third New offered incorrect
at other
Disqualification
International or unsolicited request: An
locations information about
having temporal Dictionary and appeal seeking
labels (such as its addenda the word should to dislodge
archaic, section, be denied unless another speller
obsolete), copyright 2002, it is determined from the
stylistic labels Merriam- that the spelling bee
(such as Webster, should pronouncer should be
substand, be denied. indeed gave denied.
nonstand), or factually
regional labels incorrect
(such as North,
Homonym in a
spelling round: information and
Midland, Irish)
which differ An appeal it appears that the
from main entry claiming that the speller’s spelling
spellings not speller’s would have been
having these elimination was correct if not for
status labels unfair because the incorrect or
will not be the speller’s word unsolicited
accepted as information
is a homonym
correct. provided by the
should be denied
unless the pronouncer.
Speller offered
pronouncer failed
correct spelling,
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Rules for Local Spelling Bees