Why School News?
Student journalism is journalism. Just ask a Bronx River High School student, whose investigative reporting on ICE's impact on local communities, published in the Bronx River News, earned her a prestigious George Polk Award. Or the staff of the Pacer NYC at Pace High School, who also won a Polk Award for best new student newspaper.
These aren't isolated wins. They're proof of what happens when students are given the tools and trust to report on the issues that shape their daily lives: school buildings in need of repair, transit troubles that make getting to class a daily struggle, the rollout of New York's new cell phone ban. When students cover their own communities, they don't just learn journalism. They hold their world accountable, and provide a precious service.
National studies find students who work at school newspapers are more likely to have higher GPA’s and to pay attention to news. The rest of a school benefits, too, from a model for meaningful, accurate local news by and for students.
Journalism Makes a Difference Academically.
Research shows that journalism students do better.
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High school students who were members of a journalism staff scored in the 81st percentile in the English portion of the ACT test, vs. 69th.
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High school students who were members of a journalism staff had higher grade-point averages in English, social studies, math, and science.
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High school students who were members of a journalism staff were more involved in extracurricular activities such as clubs, student government and were elected captain of a team more often.
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In 15 major areas of high school and college academic comparison, minority students with high school journalism experience did better in 12 of them.
Journalism Makes a Difference Civically
Students with journalism experience are more likely to:
Participate in civics and politics
Journalism Prepares Students for Higher Paying Jobs in the Future.
Students with journalism experience are more likely to:
New York State recently enacted the "Portrait of a Graduate," a new framework shifting the focus from test scores to real-world skills. These six attributes are: critical thinker, global citizen, effective communicator, creative innovator, academically prepared, reflective and future-focused. Through journalism, students don't just simulate these attributes; they actively practice them.
What Do Student Journalists Say?
Data alone cannot convey the excitement and satisfaction student journalists enjoy and the benefits they reap. Only they can!
“I attended NYC public schools K-12 (and qualified for free lunch every year.) I am passionate about the mission of empowering students with a “voice” and preparing them with the reasoning and communication skills they will need for life and work success. As a leader of a global ~$68M education/information business, I am certain that the skills that make me successful today were fostered by my earliest journalism experiences. The principles I learned from journalism programs became a key pillar in my career and personal economic advancement....”
Name: Kelly Villella
High school: Townsend Harris HS
School newspaper: The Classic
Positions held: Features Editor
Current occupation: Segment Leader, Medical Education & Medical Practice at Wolters Kluwer
“Taking journalism and working on the paper in high school has had a significant impact on me as a high school teacher. I am forever collecting and grading homework assignments and projects. The editing skills that I learned through journalism in high school (and in college) have proved to be immeasurably valuable. Students tell me I read and correct their assignments more thoroughly than their English teachers.”
Name: Robin Igla
High school: Midwood High School
School newspaper: The Argus
Positions held: Reporter, writer, editor, 1996-1999
Current occupation: High School Teacher - Health Education
(Prior to teaching I was a temp at News12 Traffic and Weather where I reported traffic and had to write my own scripts.)
“Being able to work as a writer and editor on the Classic at THHS taught me to collaborate effectively with various news sources, Classic staff and school administrators for the purposes of producing a high-quality, reliable product on a deadline. I learned how to step up and lead, and how to stand back and allow the gifts of each person to shine in a way that made the whole greater than its parts. I also learned how to distill and communicate information clearly and effectively. These tools have served me well as a hospital social worker. In my role, I spearhead the efforts to ensure individuals have the care they need by collaborating with a multitude of professionals to arrange the best possible plan for patients’ recoveries.”
Name: Hope Villella-Fearn
High school: Townsend Harris HS
School newspaper: The Classic
Positions held: Staff Writer (1995-1996), News Editor (1996-1998)
Current occupation: Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Medical Social Work
“By investigating news stories and reporting on them to my peers and to our high school community, I not only earned the trust of my readers, I developed trust in my capabilities. Now, even as an adult, I look back fondly on those opportunities and am grateful for what I learned. For example, in 1995, I wrote a cover story when I had the opportunity to shadow then New York City mayor, Rudy Giuliani. Even decades later, I see aspects of the article that are relevant today, including the quote from a Newsday reporter who talked about the adversarial relationship of the press to the government and how reporters have to work extra hard to get information as the mayor’s office was selective about what they disclosed.”
Name: Rena Varghese
High school: Townsend Harris HS
School newspaper: The Classic
Positions held: News Editor, Feature Editor, Artist (1992-1996)
Current occupation: SUNY Farmingdale State College, Executive Director of the Nexus Center for Applied Learning and Career Development and Adjunct Professor
“Being a part of my high school paper gave me a powerful sense of being part of something bigger than myself – a staff, a team, a community – and I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since! From a practical perspective I continue to build on and draw from the writing, listening, communication, research and time management skills that I honed during my time on the paper. And without a doubt, it has influenced both my respect for people’s stories and the quest for understanding “the truth” about a situation, no matter how complex.”
Name: Daniel Bloch
High school: Townsend Harris High School
School newspaper: The Classic
Positions held: Writer (2000-2001); Co-Editor-in-Chief (2001-2003)
Current occupation: Technical Advisor, International Rescue Committee
“I was a proud member of my high school newspaper. I enjoyed both the individual agency I had with reporting and the collaborative aspect of putting the paper together. The experience taught me how to work on tight deadlines, write effectively and take criticism. I’ve carried these lessons into my life post-grad as well - they are crucial to the way I work now.”
Name: Rupeshi Shah
High school: Townsend Harries High School
School newspaper: The Classic
Positions held: Staff Writer (2009-2010), News Editor (2010-2011)
Current occupation: Junior Executive @ Cinetic Media, mainly working with independent documentaries
“Reporting and editing for The Classic generated some of my fondest high school memories and friendships. Beyond that, it encouraged me to approach the world with more curiosity, digging deeper into the stories around me—big and small. Being involved in high school journalism made me a stronger writer, editor, and critical thinker, and it absolutely put me on the path to the career I have today as a podcast producer..”
Name: Rebecca Seidel
High school: Townsend Harris High School
School newspaper: The Classic
Positions held: Features Editor & Editor-in-Chief, 2008-2011
Current occupation: Podcast producer & editor
“The most formative and memorable experiences from my high school years are all from my times on the school newspaper. I was involved all four years and learned so many invaluable skills…While I did not pursue journalism, I leverage all of the skills in my current career as a Market Research leader at LinkedIn. I must take complex datasets and translate the findings into compelling and digestible narratives. As a people manager, I delegate assignments and have to motivate and mentor my team. I am proud to have been a student journalist and credit it with providing me with a solid foundation for my higher education and professional path.”
Name: Allison (Slotnick) Schoer
High school: Townsend Harris High School
School newspaper: The Classic
Positions held: Reporter (1998-1999, 1999-2000), Co-Editor-in-Chief (2000-2001, 2001-2002)
Current occupation: Group Manager, Market Research at LinkedIn