Washington and Lee To Host July Institute for High School Journalism Advisers

 

The Department of Journalism and Mass Communications has been selected as one of five sites for the Reynolds High School Journalism Institutes this summer.

Thirty-five high school journalism advisers from across the country have been competively selected to attend W&L’s intensive two-week program, sponsored by the American Society of Newspaper Editors.  W&L’s institute,  July 6-18,  will be taught by permanent faculty and visiting editors and journalists.

ASNE started the institutes in 2001 as part of an aggressive national effort to grow scholastic journalism. This is the first year W&L has been a host. 

ASNE’s recruitment includes intensive outreach to schools in urban and rural areas where journalism programs are most under stress.

Since 2001, 1,106 high school teachers have completed the Institute, and most continue to teach journalism and/or advise a student newspaper.

This ground-breaking ASNE initiative is funded by a three-year, $2.3 million grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation. There is no charge to the participating teachers or their high schools. 

In addition to W&L, the other accredited university journalism schools hosting the  Reynolds Institutes this year are:

• Kent State University
• Arizona State University.
• University of Nevada
• University of Texas

The Institute helps teachers:

• Develop a framework for helping students make sound news and ethical judgments.
• Have stronger reporting, writing, editing, graphics, photography, Web and business skills needed to help students start or improve independent school newspapers.
• Focus on news reporting and writing rather than essays.
• Instill a greater understanding of, and appreciation for, the First Amendment.

ASNE is the principal organization of the top editors at daily newspapers. Founded in 1922 as a non-profit professional organization, ASNE focuses on professional development and journalism-related issues, including the First Amendment, diversity in newsroom staffing and coverage, journalism education, editorial innovation and credibility.
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation is a national philanthropic organization founded in 1954 by the late media entrepreneur for whom it is named. Headquartered in Las Vegas, it is of one of the largest private foundations in the United States.