The Latest Archives

Where do trust and prior review meet?

Leading a scholastic media staff in the shadow of Hazelwood by Chris Waugaman, MJE A lack of trust can destroy scholastic journalism. We have seen it in a number of recent cases. The scenario involves a student publication and a disgruntled administration. The cause of this tension can come from a variety of places, but…

Two examples showing the need to protect
the information gathering process

When a school system tells students in a new policy it proposes that it wants student media to train students in journalism, it might be time to cheer. But not when, in the same policy, it calls for student media “to foster a wholesome school spirit and support the best traditions of the school,” and reinforces…

Getting everyone on the side of quality journalism

by Matt Smith, Adviser, Cardinal Columns Fond du Lac High School On August 25, the Fond du Lac Board of Education gave the official go-ahead for student publications at Fond du Lac High School to begin the new school year operating under new publication guidelines that scrap last year’s policy of administrative prior review. The…

Be disaster aware, be prepared, take action

by Glenn Morehouse Olson Throughout September, I find my classes cut short time and time again as the school works to squeeze in the required fire, lockdown and tornado drills. I’ve never really given it any thought. It’s an important part of preparing students in case of an emergency. However, on Sept. 19 an email…

What ‘s banned in your neighborhood?
Banned Websites Awareness Week brings
chance to examine extent of Internet filtering

According to a new report from the American Library Association, Internet-filtering software blocks more content than required and deprives students of access to information and collaborative tools Titled Fencing Out Knowledge: Impacts of the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) 10 Years Later, the report also argues those children most affected are the poor, who might…

What filters hide: a lesson

Title What filters hide Description Students will research common net issues with filtered sites. This lesson goes with information on this SPRC link. Summary Students try to access several commonly banned (but legitimate) sites. They then will create interview questions for the internet gatekeeper at their school. Students could write a news-feature story on this…

Internet filters: What do they really block?

by John Bowen “For speech class, senior Dave Jennings needed to find information about Nirvana and Kurt Cobain,” Maggie Beckwith, senior reporter for the Lakewood Times, began her story on the effects of Internet filtering. “I was trying to go to the Rolling Stone magazine web site to get lyrics” Jennings said. “I couldn’t get…

Internet filters: More than annoying

by John Bowen To raise awareness of overly restrictive blocking in schools and school libraries of legitimate, educational websites and academically useful social networking tools, The American Association of School Librarians has designated Wednesday, Sept. 24 as Banned Websites Awareness Day. AASL asked school librarians and other educators to promote an awareness of how overly…

5 Important points you might have missed this week

With all the attention to Constitution Day and its lessons this week (which are usable any time), you might have missed other points of information: • Friday, Sept. 19, the SPLC released information about reprinting its articles. For more information, go here. • The same day Evelyn Lauer posted commentary to Huffington Post on the…

JEA-SPRC, SPLC condemn Neshaminy school district for
punishing newspaper editor, adviser
in ongoing fight over ‘Redskins’ name

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The Student Press Law Center and Journalism Education Association Scholastic Press Rights Commission condemned the actions of the Neshaminy School District in Pennsylvania Wednesday, following the District’s retaliatory and illegal actions calculated to punish thePlaywickian student newspaper, its editors and its adviser. In response to an editorial board decision not to print the…

It’s ironic

by John Bowen It’s ironic that Sept. 17, a day mandated to honor the Constitution of the United States, also this year marks the 2-day suspension of Neshaminy adviser Tara Huber for what the board of education calls insubordination. The board suspended her without pay for failing to stop students from defying its directive. Her crime: She…

Linking news literacy and scholastic journalism

by Megan Fromm This weekend, JEA President Mark Newton, board member Stan Zoller and I all participated in the “Because News Matters” summit on news literacy in Chicago. Hosted by the McCormick Foundation, the Poynter Institute, and other partners, the summit was an opportunity to bring together key stakeholders interested in news literacy education. As…