The Problem Solving Handbook For High School Journalism Advisers

High school journalists share the same objectives as professional reporters—finding the story, writing the story, and packaging the story so that it appeals to an audience. Understanding how to best accomplish these objectives is key to the student on the newspaper, yearbook or Web site staff, but the fundamental art of storytelling and story presentation are not always at the center of high school journalism classes. Student journalists must first understand that storytelling, at its most basic level, is about people, and that understanding the audience is essential in deciding how to present the story. This handbook for high school journalists and teachers offers practical tips for all elements of school journalism. The author covers the essential components that students must understand: information gathering, writing, standard and alternative coverage and packaging. Students will find valuable information about identifying news, interviewing, research, narrative writing style, editing, visual presentation and layout. The book also covers the legal rights of student journalists, objective vs. opinion writing, staff planning and organization and Web–based journalism. Each chapter includes study guides for practical applications of the concepts discussed. Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

The book is encyclopedic in its coverage, including (in addition to school newspapers) sections on school magazines, yearbooks, and broadcast journalism for schools. Thechapters on advertising, usually neglected in high schooljournalism, are excellent.

Designed for and by high school journalism educators, this book provides practical information for secondary school teachers and media advisers so that they can solve the problems they confront daily and learn and grow in their jobs. Chapters in the book are: (1) What Are We Doing Here, Anyway?; (2) Grades, ACT Tests, Attitudes, and Involvement; (3) Advanced Placement; (4) Journalism Programs Involve Almost a Million Kids and Teachers; (5) Teachers Make It Work, But How? Certification, Satisfaction, Professional Life; (6) Who Pays the Piper? Sources of Newspaper Budgets; (7) Who Calls the Tune? Linking Budget Sources and Free Expression; (8) The Rugged Road to Scholastic Press Freedom; (9) "Hazelwood": The Supreme Court Sets Up a Detour; (10) Scholastic Press Freedom in the '90s: How Advisers and Students Are Coping with "Hazelwood"; and "Concluding Thoughts: We Don't Just Make It Up as We Go Along." An 80-page bibliography classified by subject and arranged in reverse chronological order is attached. Entries in the bibliography present ERIC accession numbers and annotations where available. (RS)

Written from the perspective of a practicing, certified counselor, this guide contains essential information needed to smoothly transition from service-based to program-based counseling.