COLUMBIA, Missouri — The Youth Journalism Initiative of the American Society of News Editors will continue its national effort to inspire youth in the ever-changing world of journalism by training 140 secondary-school teachers at the 2015 Reynolds High School Journalism Institute. The Institute provides comprehensive journalism training and hands-on experience.
Through the Reynolds High School Journalism Institute, teachers learn how to help students gain stronger reporting, writing, editing, multimedia, design and entrepreneurial skills needed to start or improve student news media organizations and understand the freedoms guaranteed by the First Amendment and their rights and ethical responsibilities as student journalists.
Since the program’s inception in 2001, more than 2,200 high school teachers have completed the program, and 2015 will mark its last year. In addition to providing online training, the Institute will bring together teachers for a one-week, hands-on experience at the following locations:
- Arizona State University, June 21-27
- University of Texas at Austin, July 12-18
- University of Missouri-Columbia, July 19-25
The Institute is funded through a generous grant from the Donald W. Reynolds Foundation, which covers all travel, housing and instructional expenses for the teachers, as well as optional continuing education credit. The teachers will also receive paid membership to the Journalism Education Association and their state or regional scholastic press association.
ASNE’s Youth Journalism Initiative, launched in 2000, is committed to helping students learn why news matters and acquire the skills needed to succeed as 21st-century citizens. The Initiative invests in the future of journalism and democracy by providing resources and training in youth journalism; news, information and media literacy; and the First Amendment and civic education.
The focuses on leadership development and journalism-related issues. Founded in 1922 as a nonprofit professional organization, ASNE promotes fair, principled journalism; defends and protects First Amendment rights; and fights for freedom of information and open government. Leadership, innovation, diversity and inclusion in coverage and the journalism workforce, youth journalism, news literacy and the sharing of ideas are also key ASNE initiatives.
The Donald W. Reynolds Foundation is a philanthropic organization founded in 1954 by the late media entrepreneur for whom it is named. Headquartered in Las Vegas, it has committed more than $150 million to journalism initiatives nationally.