Most Recent Articles
Covering elections and post-elections: what students care about
by Cyndi Hyatt
Record numbers of citizens voted in this now contested presidential election, and the outcome of Tuesday’s contest may not be known for days. And although most high school students cannot yet vote, they still have opinions and cares about the government and their future.
Whoever wins Tuesday will set the tone for the next four years affecting these students as they come of legal age.
Students should be covering this election, but they first need to first ask what are the issues that affect their generation most and will have the greatest impact on their daily and future lives.
Read MoreHighlighting some SPRC key and most-used posts
Press Rights Minute is one of several of our services buried in the SPRC vault. Press Rights Minute has a wealth of 60-second audio support on substantive, key journalistic, issues for advisers, students and administrators.
The Panic Button is a way to reach out for SPRC and JEA legal and/or ethical advice. We are not lawyers, but we can help while students or advisers contact the Student Press Law Center. It’s also an informative place for administrators and others to learn more about the dangers of not supporting journalism designated as a forum for student expression.
Tinker: A Pillar of Strength is a compilation of lessons, activities and background of the importance of Tinker v. Des Moines Supreme Court decision and what followed it. It is varied; it is in depth and a provides at least a year’s worth of materials.
Having background like this year as we Handle(ing) Protests, Walkouts and Marches is essential. Although this was prepared for events and issues several years ago, it is relevant and offers solid advice for reporting in the charged atmosphere of pandemic, election and a divided nation.
Read MoreA new way to study at home
Here’s a remote resource to expand your knowledge
Colorado high school teacher and JEA member Megan Fromm has a new type of First Amendment activity for teachers to use remotely with students.
Fromm said it’s a digital, fully remote substitute for First Amendment learning stations she does with classroom groups.
“I’m including a link to what I’m calling the ‘teacher workbook,'” she wrote. “Google slides that explain everything.”
Fromm said the video and links embedded are all really important to understand how this lesson would work, so watch the video first.
“Hopefully,” she wrote, “it’s a semi-fun new way to engage with First Amendment content remotely.”
The First Amendment Stations: Teacher workbook and answer slides resources are available by download here.
The Explainer video that explains how this resource can be used is accessed here if it does not work within the above resource.
Read MoreFlashback: Lessons on avoiding sloppy reporting
Semantics can strengthen reporting
by Stan Zoller, MJE
When President Trump was hospitalized recently with COVID-19, it was, to say the least, interesting to watch the briefings from the medical professionals attending to him.
It was evident their words were chosen carefully – so carefully I couldn’t help but think of the late S.I. Hayakawa.
Read More