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Press Rights Minute

Press Rights Minute is a new Scholastic Press Rights Commission service that offers quick and authoritative 60-second audio support for advisers, students and administrators on key journalistic issues. [pullquote]The link to all the links is https://soundcloud.com/scholastic-press-rights[/pullquote] Commission member Sarah Nichols created the concept and commission members, students and others completed segments in the series. We created…

The Changing Internet: Why you should talk Net Neutrality with your students

By Megan Fromm, CJE Between deadlines, snow days and standardized testing, we all know there isn’t much time for “extra.” Those extra lessons you wish you had time to teach, those extra teachable moments you wish you had time to organize. But this week, carve out 20 extra minutes to sit with your students and…

Be proud of each trip you take to publish student media

by Stan Zoller Several years ago I was having a conversation with my neighbor, also a teacher. Our conversation covered the usual teacher stuff – students, administrators, curriculum, union contracts – and course loads. It was while we discussing the classes we taught, he pronounced that “well, anyone can teach journalism.” So much for good…

Handle yearbook copyright issues
before you find the book for sale online

by John Bowen Because advisers raised this issue on JEA’s listserv before Christmas break, we thought now would be the perfect time to address the issue. Students and advisers unhappy with various groups who buy and sell school yearbooks online, with no funds going to the student media, have several steps to consider if they…

Three story ideas worthy of student media exploration

Looking for stories that enable your students to make a significant difference? Here are three possibilities for localization and expansion: • Should schools monitor students’ social media sites http://www.eschoolnews.com/2013/12/23/schools-monitor-media-400/2/ This article raises the issue whether software can or should be expected to determine if students’ postings can be considered cyberbullying. The article seems to raise…

New research shows administrators know more about the First Amendment
but don’t fully grasp it

A researcher at Hiram College in Hiram, Ohio, surveyed public high school administrators about their First Amendment knowledge this fall and discovered that administrators may, in fact, know more than they think about the First Amendment. However, Audrey Wagstaff Cunningham, assistant professor, said when tested on their knowledge of specific attributes, the majority did not…

And the children shall lead them: Student journalists make a difference

by Jane Blystone Scholastic journalists often make a difference in their school and community by publishing story packages that are live issues in their locale. However, when students choose not to publish something, they still a make a difference in their school, community and in the public media. By majority vote of the editorial board…

Students say they will follow editorial policy
not use ‘Redskins’ in coverage

Two articles worth noting on the Neshaminy, PA, controversy over mandated use of “Redskins” in student media, as students and their lawyers say they are willing to risk a court fight to not use the mascot’s name. • An editorial from Bucks County Courier Times • A news story in philly.com Earlier, a USA Today…

Civic engagement:
More than a buzz word

by Candace Bowen Civic engagement is one of the pluses we name when talking about the value of scholastic media. But what do we mean by that line and what in our activities gives our students that experience? First let’s think about what it does NOT…

All the photos fit to print: What a “selfie” can’t convey

By Megan Fromm It was the selfie seen ’round the world: President Obama, Danish Prime Minister Helle Thorning Schmidt, and British Prime Minister David Cameron, leaning in for a quick click during a national memorial service for Nelson Mandela. Almost immediately, both mainstream and alternative media began analyzing the photo ad nauseam, criticizing everything from…

Determining – and practicing– journalism’s secret words

by Stan Zoller During his game show, “You Bet Your Life,” the late Groucho Marx would challenge his contestants to “say the secret word and win $100.” Imagine what it would be like if Groucho had his show today and featured as his panelists, a high school administrator and high school journalist. What would the…

Knowing what is what:
Is it editorial content or is it advertising?

by John Bowen Can you tell ads from news? Based on an article in Marketplace Tech published Dec. 3, it might not be that easy on digital media. The advertising in question, referred to as “native ads” by author Stacey Vanek Smith, are ads that do not look like ads. Because of this, Smith reports…