The news world may be going electronic, but high school journalism programs still rely more on yearbooks and print papers than online reporting, the Kent State University Center for Scholastic Journalism reports.
The 2011 Scholastic Journalism Census of more than 4,000 high schools found that 96 percent offer some kind of student journalism program, with yearbooks in 94 percent of schools and student newspapers in 64 percent. Only one in three reported any kind of online student media. "These data suggest many scholastic media programs are neither exposing students to the media landscape they will confront once they graduate from high school nor teaching students the skills they need to succeed in a multimedia world," the report says.
That's unfortunate. Producing a student paper was painfully slow back in the 1970s; now it's even more out of sync with the real world. Online reporting would seem to offer cost savings, though I suspect it also requires significant staff training.
My sense is that opportunities vary widely within CMS, often based on the initiative of faculty advisers. I recall how impressed we were in 2009, when Alan Vitale, a teacher at the small Olympic Renaissance High, launched a student newspaper and brought his print and web editors to visit the Observer. On the other hand, I've heard a young friend who attends South Meck talk about her frustration that the school has no student newspaper.
Meanwhile, a high school newspaper adviser in Iowa won a free-press victory on Wednesday, when a court ruled that his principal couldn't punish him for letting students publish "offensive" items, including an April Fool spoof issue .
Thursday, November 10, 2011
High school journalism stuck in print age
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16 comments:
I can understand the frustration of the student at S. Meck. My child attends a HS in CMS that doesn't even have a yearbook.
I did a quick search for jobs in journalism, and "multimedia" skills were required. Just another example of our high schools not preparing students for the real world of work.
Actually several schools in CMS have vibrant online publications where the students are learning how to work online. East Meck was first with www.eastmeckeagle.com. Also check out http://www.providenceprowl.com/ for Providence High School and the newest one http://www.rrhsbirdseyeview.com/. Others in the county are in the process of setting up papers as well.
There is also statewide competition for online newspapers and classes for high school online in June at the North Carolina Scholastic Media Institute. There are a lot of us working to teach these multimedia skills.
In fact there is a workshop today at The Charlotte Observer for area schools trying to help schools start online papers.
It doesn't matter.
Rarely a person going into journalism would get a job out of High School anyway. Most places prefer a college or tech. degree of some sort, which would have those classes in multimedia and such.
Besides, most kids know how to blog, do status updates and likes anyway, don't need a class to help explain how to use a computer for journalism when they already know the tools.
Searched for journalism jobs in NC. There were eight. Maybe high schools should have student nursing programs instead. Is the Observer hiring?
Journalism training is excellent background for other areas, including law, teaching, criminal investigation, to name one of many. Traditional journalism jobs are dying off but people are making money off online newspaper, blogs, and writing articles online as well. By the way, CMS high schools offer initial classes for students interested in pursuing medical and other careers (program is called HOSA). My daughter took one of those classes and got her started in her studies for medical office assistant. Another student of mine just moved into nursing out of those classes.
Ann, Did you you know about today's workshop at the Observer that anonymous 9:30 reported? Did you know about the Providence, East Meck, and what I assume is Rocky River sites? Seems like this all would put a more positive spin on the story.
I am curious what folks think about continuing yearbooks as a print product. I recently attended a high schol reunion and it was great to go back through the old yearbook and read what messages friends had left.
Therest...
The sad part atleast from my child's school administration's stand point is yearbooks are a mute point. I tried to explain to them that yearbooks are a reminder to not only the past students of the school, but it is also a record for the school. They shot down my idea to re-introduce the yearbook (school has not had one in 3 years) saying they were too expensive and after the numbers are worked the school ends up in the negative. Didn't want to hear any of my ideas of making a more cost effective product for the students. Just was set on how things needed to be done and a yearbook wasn't on his agenda. Got to love the mindset of some of these administrators.
I have to admit, I did NOT know about this workshop until I saw tables set up as I was leaving the building last night (I pre-wrote this item). Talked to some great East Meck students on the way in today, sat in on a fascinating session that mentioned Providence and Lake Norman Charter as pioneers in a national online news network. It's one of several balls I'm juggling now but hope to turn around a good print story on that.
11:26 - Contact Jostens Yearbooks and talk to someone there. It will NOT be a cost burden to the school unless the school officials are inept or incompetent. HS yearbooks should generate TONS of revenue!
Just out of curiosity, how much do yearbooks cost students these days?
Middle school yb is set at $21 plus tax. HS yearbooks are set by the school, but usually around $65-75...
You should come to Mooresville where the students put on a television show. Oh wait, Mooresville isn't in Mecklenburg county so the Observer doesn't care.
It's not just journalism that's missing at South Meck...the administration has stripped away all English/Language Arts electives.
It's shameful.
Mooresville commenter, we used to have a strong staff covering our surrounding counties -- I loved being able to shoot out an email and get info from reporters who were familiar with those school districts. Sadly, most of that staff has fallen victim to budget cuts.
If anyone's still interested, I did a story for today's paper, but it was buried pretty deep:
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/11/11/2765030/online-news-is-wave-of-future.html#storylink=misearch
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