Check out our current White Paper
As journalism educators we have an obligation to advocate for curricula that improves our democracy, our communities, our schools and, most importantly, our students. Journalism students research issues and synthesize positions based on fact; intelligently converse on a spectrum of issues; practice the five freedoms responsibly; and effectively communicate in words and images.
It is journalism teacher advisers, therefore, who need to take action to protect their students and keep journalism programs alive in their schools. The loss of journalism programs is something that the entire scholastic journalism community needs to address.
Our White Paper is a call to action, one we hope you will take with us.
What is the SJI?
Scholastic Journalism Initiative is individual advisers across the nation coming together to advocate for scholastic journalism by identifying issues facing their profession and creating solutions that will not only preserve the profession they love but enhance its contribution to 21st Century education.
Experienced and younger publications advisers and journalism teachers are accepting the challenge to keep journalism alive and well in the schools because, simply put, it’s outstanding education. Scholastic journalism teaches teamwork, writing, design, photography, graphics, deadline management, media literacy, ethics, a deep appreciation and understanding of the First Amendment and, most importantly, it provides a venue for students to voice their concerns and views on issues relevant to them. It’s worth fighting for.
What’s next for SJI?
Our hope is that you will not only embrace the core concepts of the Scholastic Journalism Institute — bringing together expert advisers to address issues specific to the profession we love, and encouraging and supporting emerging leaders in our profession — but join us in focusing our collective talents and energies on addressing the growing threats to our programs.
The White Paper is a call to action to individual advisers. We hope you will join us in working to fix what is broken in scholastic journalism, while preserving what is most valuable. If your program is strong, we need your expertise — and we need you to share your successes. From handouts to methods, from political strategies to instructional tips, please take the time to support your colleagues so together we may enhance our profession. We have quite a few plans in the works. Click here to read about our plans.
