The Latest Archives

What is copyright?

When students violate copyright, they are stealing from the original copyright holder. This reference area provides information on what copyright and fair use are, provides guidelines and provides best practices and copyright free resources.

Campaign spotlights students’ work
that made a difference

SPRC members are reintroducing the Making a Difference campaign. This monthly posting will highlight students who have made a difference through their coverage. When your students create content that has a positive impact on your school or community, please fill out the submission form and we’ll tell you how to send your content. JEA Scholastic…

5 activities to consider before next fall

By John Bowen, MJE Looking for end-of-year activities to rebuild or revisit how your student media operate, the range and effectiveness of content, no matter the platform? Consider the following, either now at the end of the year or during summer staff retreats, to help students strengthen your program’s foundation.

End-of-the-year audit: whose voice made the cut?

By Kristin Taylor One of the highest callings of journalism is to “give voice to the voiceless.” As scholastic journalism classes begin to wrap up, it’s a good time for staffs to look back at the year to evaluate their coverage and see how fully they’ve met that goal. Before starting the process, I suggest…

Clickbait QT68

Guideline: Journalists should present relevant information in context so the audience has adequate information on which to base decisions. Context is just as important as factual accuracy and can help readers fully understand an issue and its relevance to their daily lives.

Importance of scale in visual reporting QT67

Guideline: Journalists must be vigilant in ensuring charts and infographics do not inaccurately depict the information nor should it mislead the reader. Be weary of data interpretations from others — especially those who benefit from the results.

Pursuit of accurate information clearly
part of scholastic journalism’s mission

To some administrators, it’s ‘curses, FOIA’ed again’ By Stan Zoller, MJE When a student journalist pursues a story and, as H.L. Hall would say, “digs” for information, most journalism educators would be pleased. And so too, you think, would administrators. Unfortunately, that’s not always the case. In fact, it’s becoming more common for school czars…

Understanding FERPA QT66

Guideline: The school publication will follow the Family Educational Rights and PrIvacy Act (FERPA) as defined by the Student Press Law Center. Social media post/question: What information is protected under FERPA? Key Points/Action FERPA does limit the specific information schools can release about students, but it doesn’t restrict schools from releasing information in aggregate or…

Senior quotes, wills:
Can harm students, damage credibility QT65

Senior wills, April Fool’s issues and senior quotes sometimes can be considered the three Horsemen of the Apocalypse. They have minimal journalistic value and can quickly damage a staff’s –– and a school’s –– reputation and credibility. Senior quotes present too much potential for damage and turn over too much control of your student publications…

Circuit Court decisions support student freedoms QT 64

Quick Hits: Student First Amendment Rights Muzzle Hazelwood with strong journalism and status as a limited public forum. (Dean v. Utica Community Schools, 2004) The principal of Utica High School told the student newspaper, the Arrow, to cut an article by student journalist Katy Dean, as well as an accompanying editorial and an editorial cartoon….

Decision protects students’ rights, since 1943 QT 63

Quick Hits: Student First Amendment Rights What, students have rights? Not until 1943 (West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette) Before the Barnette decision, when students came into conflict with public schools, the courts decided their cases—often against the students—without mentioning students’ right. They considered if the punishment was excessive. (Beating with a rawhide…

Six schools, 22 student journalists and 201 state legislators:
Lobby Day in Minnesota

by Lori Keekley, MJE I had no idea how inspired I would be by 22 students from six different schools who joined me to lobby for the New Voices legislation March 19. During the one day at the capitol, the students made signs, learned and practiced how to talk to legislators, lined the senate and…