In 1984 the vocational studies department of a New Jersey high school transformed its industrial arts program into a technological studies department designed to prepare students for college and emerging job markets. A high technology laboratory with sophisticated energy, communications, computer, and video equipment was created to accompany this…

Student journalism is struggling to survive due to demanding high school graduation requirements, stricter college admission standards, and skeptical state departments of education. For student journalism to survive and prosper, education agencies, college officials, and journalism teachers must cooperate and receive strong support from the…

Interviewing, fact checking, writing, research, analysis, meeting deadlines--all are necessary skills gained from journalism training. The Journalism Education Association recently reported that students taking high school journalism courses and working on student publications performed better in college than students without such training.…

Describes a midwestern high school's serious student publications program. Over the past 20 years, students here have published major stories on incest, homosexuality, teen pregnancy, cheating, divorce, fatal illness, and other topics without prepublication scrutiny by the principal. Recommendations are provided to ensure fair coverage, relevant…

American College Testing Program (ACT) research evidence supports the inclusion of an academic-based journalism course (coordinated with publications) in every high school's curriculum. ACT results show that college students who studied journalism or worked on school newspapers or yearbooks perform better during their freshman year. Includes…

To behave responsibly toward school journalism, personnel officers and administrators must select a qualified, fully cognizant adviser/instructor with training in press law and ethics, journalism advising and instruction, news reporting, copy editing, and design and layout principles. A professionally oriented curriculum is also a must. (MLH)

To minimize antagonism and enhance the educational process, schools should consider adopting student publications guidelines that clearly outline the legal parameters of protected expression, the system for regulating speech, and procedures for administrative policies. (MLH)

To help secondary schools find qualified journalism teachers and improve the quality of journalism instruction, the Journalism Education Association has designated a commission to establish certification requirements for such teachers. Individuals with teaching credentials and college majors or minors in journalism are considered certifiable. (MLH)

One way to entice students into high school journalism courses is to integrate desktop publishing (via microcomputers) as a vehicle for type-setting, design, and pagination of school publications. Desktop publishing also saves time, cuts costs, and provides vocational training. (MLH)

Reviews the "Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier" U.S. Supreme Court decision upholding a principal's right to censor the content of a school-sponsored student publication. Explains why teachers oppose this decision, discusses liability issues, and argues for a free, uncensored student press. Includes eight legal references. (MLH)

Principals can ensure the accuracy and excellence of student publications by enrolling the advisers and student staff members in at least one scholastic press association. These groups welcome student participation, set publication and instructional standards, and offer many services, including planning workshops, evaluating publications, and…

Teacher empowerment can be better appreciated if viewed as professionalization, rather than an exercise in worrying about who the boss is. This article discusses three guiding principles toward empowerment (status, knowledge, and access to decision-making), separate needs and vantage points of teachers and administrators, and teacher autonomy.…

Discusses the leader-follower relationship, which varies according to a group's situation and environment. Mentions effective two-way communication, trustworthiness, steadiness, and ability to help followers develop initiative as essential leadership qualities. (MLH)

To be catalysts for school improvement and help beginning teachers adjust to their new environment, principals must include certain topics in the school's orientation program, such as knowing and accepting oneself, building self-confidence, developing positive attitudes, planning, involving students, and knowing one's colleagues. (MLH)

To implement curriculum changes successfully, five guidelines should be followed: changes should be research-based; successful innovation requires organizational changes; innovations must be feasible for the average teacher; implementation efforts must be organic, not bureaucratic; and a definite curriculum plan is essential. Guidelines for…