Few high school papers
The decision about whether to offer journalism classes at a school is complex ("High school newspapers folding," Feb. 1). It's made especially difficult when students are given a voice in determining the content of their newspapers and principals feel threatened by repercussions from parents and the public.
Those of us who have taught scholastic journalism see student newspapers as a rich opportunity to teach not only computers and writing skills, but ethics, leadership and responsibility. Almost never in high school are students given the chance to have a voice in decision-making. In newspaper work, decision-making and responsibility are paramount.
The schools lacking journalism classes are doing students a serious disservice. If a student wants to major in communications in college, he will be competing against students who have advanced skills in computers, design, writing, interviewing, research, critical thinking and note taking. Lacking such skills, the student will often go elsewhere to find success.
My experience as a district mentor revealed lackluster support from principals and district personnel. Counselors at one school refused to be interviewed, saying, "We don't have time."
At one school there was only a single working computer. Students had to meet in homes to design and layout their newspapers, which led to lack of appropriate supervision.
Hearty principal and district support is, I believe, the key to the survival of programs that produce sophisticated readers and writers, as well as responsible citizens who respect good journalism as fundamental to life in a democracy.
MARJORIE BELL
Bakersfield
