Response by Texas Journalism Teachers to Proposed TEKS Revisions

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    TEA English/Language Arts Electives TEKS Review Committee
  • Sponsored By:
    Texas Association of Journalism Educators
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As Texas journalism instructors and publications advisers vitally
interested in the future of our programs and the relevance of our
programs to students' needs, especially of those who will be entering
college/university media programs and those who plan a career in media,
we are concerned that the proposed Journalism Course TEKS revisions will
not adequately prepare high school students for those experiences.

Todays journalists are expected to write and edit copy for
print, Web and broadcast; shoot and edit video; shoot and edit still
shots; create opinion pieces for newspaper, broadcast and Weblogs;
create interactive polls and graphics; build community through readers
comments, forums, and online networking; script, produce and appear in
broadcast and Webcast news shows; drive traffic to their news sites and
blogs through use of social media; and report from the field, often
using video, pictures and interviews recorded by cell phones in addition
to more sophisticated equipment.

Journalism job losses since the economic downturn have been
three times the job losses in other industries. It is apparent, when and
if the industry comes back, it will be one in which the industry asks
more of media graduates. They will need to write. That's the core of
journalism, of course. But newspapers now shoot video and television
stations expect reporters to write newspaper-style print stories.
Reporters carry flip cams for livestreams and on-the-spot reporting. The
platforms are coming together. The industry is asking graduates not only
to be able to write but also to have the skills and savvy to know how to
compete in this convergent marketplace.

Traditional forms of news delivery are changing rapidly as
technology changes. Both newspapers and broadcast news teams are moving
to Web-based news delivery to augment or replace their former delivery
systems. Many newspapers and broadcast news teams are victims of
todays economy, the changing technology, and reader/viewers changes
in preference in their news delivery systems.

The emergence of blogs on a multitude of subjects from news to
politics to business has enticed former avid newspaper and magazine
readers and television news viewers to the Web.

The popularity of social media, such as Facebook and Twitter,
has provided traditional media innovative ways to reach consumers and
drive traffic to their news sites.

Technology in the form of smart phones with high resolution
cameras and high definition video capability, MP3 players, Kindle and
other e-book readers, and other electronic devices all create new
markets for information delivery and create ways for the public to
interact with news organizations.


For high school journalism courses to be meaningful to students who will
major in mass communications and enter the media world of tomorrow, they
must do what college programs have been doing for several yearsbecome
convergent.

While the proposed revisions to the Journalism TEKS mentiotechnology, we feel they do not emphasize its importance, so that its
use in journalism classrooms will be relevant and meaningful.

Convergence needs to be introduced in the beginning Journalism and
Photojournalism courses and carried forward for advanced students. Even
schools without high tech broadcasting programs can offer students
opportunities for a convergent program, as there are low cost handheld
digital camcorders and all-in-one software solutions that are very
affordable.

The Texas Association of Journalism Educators would like the opportunity
to offer some suggestions for incorporating more technology into the
current journalism courses, and we would like to propose a production
class in convergent media, to be offered in addition to traditional
yearbook, newspaper and broadcasting programs.


We want to equip our students with the best possible tools for success
in college and in their profession. We welcome the opportunity to work
with your committee to develop standards which will meet these
objectives.

(Petition to be signed by members of TAJE and other interested
journalism educators)

279 Signatures

  • Dianne Smith-Harper
    • Position
    • Journalism Teacher
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 7700 Creekbend #95, Houston, TX 77071
  • Susan Duncan
    • Position
    • journalism teacher, publications adviser
    • Address; Zip Code
    • P.O. Box 5878, Longview TX 75608
  • Cindy Berry
    • Position
    • Decatur High School journalism teacher
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 750 E. Eagle Summit Dr. 76234
  • Andrea Lorenz
    • Position
    • Former journalist, Journalism student teacher
    • Address; Zip Code
    • Austin, TX 78735
    • Comments
    • В
  • Rhonda Moore
    • Position
    • journalism teacher
    • Address; Zip Code
    • McCallum HS, 5600 Sunshine, Austin, TX 78756
  • Stephanie Davis
    • Position
    • teacher/advisor
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 77004
  • Mikyela Tedder
    • Position
    • Publications Adviser
    • Address; Zip Code
    • P.O. Box 370 Lindale, TX 75771
    • Comments
    • The current TEKS are outdated and must be revamped to include current technology and convergence media.
  • Mary Pulliam
    • Position
    • Publications adviser
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 900 W. Camp Wisdom Duncanville, TX 75116
  • Brenda Slatton
    • Position
    • Journalism Teacher @ Lee High School
    • Address; Zip Code
    • San Antonio, Tx 78247
  • David Rosen
    • Position
    • Former Reporter, Houston Chronicle
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 303 Webster #1241, 77002
  • Rebecca Pollard
    • Position
    • Publications and Broadcast Adviser/Teacher
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 708 Ashford Lane, Wylie, TX 75098
  • Brent Clanton
    • Position
    • Principal, Clanton Communications
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 15431 Oxenford Drive/Tomball, TX 77377
  • Kimberly Reeves
    • Position
    • Freelance Reporter, former J-teacher
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 13492 Research Blvd #120-181, Austin, 78750
  • Laura Barrett
    • Position
    • Journalism teacher--Hutto High school
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 1901 Dumaine Circle 74727
  • Laura K. Negri
    • Position
    • Publications Adviser, Alief Kerr High School
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 77083
  • Matthew Dulin
    • Position
    • Production manager
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 1403 maygrove, sugar land, tx 77498
  • Keith Elkins
    • Position
    • Executive Director
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 3001 North Lamar Blvd., Suite 302, Austin, TX 78705
  • Thomas J. Kaup
    • Position
    • Former Journalism Teacher
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 6619 Francis Loop SE, Auburn, WA 98092
  • Jennine Zeleznik-Zepeda
    • Position
    • Teacher
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 5815 Sky Country St.; 78247
  • Mark Webber
    • Position
    • journalism/photojournalism instructor
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 410 Venado Court, Laredo, Texas 78045
    • Comments
    • Instructional objectives need revision to support converging media.
  • Melissa McEver
    • Position
    • former reporter, teacher in training
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 711 Ruby Lane, Magnolia, TX 77354
  • Jacob Palenske
    • Position
    • President/CEO of NCompass Media, LLC
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 4925 Stone Gate Trail, McKinney, 75070
  • Donald Johnson
    • Position
    • Teacher
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 77031
    • Comments
    • The basic problem with TEKS is that they suggest all items receive equal emphasis when, in fact, individual journalists are generally high-performers whose errors are unique, requiring targetted corrections.
  • jo clifton
    • Position
    • editor
    • Address; Zip Code
    • PO Box 867 austin, tx 78767
  • Terri Chappell
    • Position
    • Site Editor-Pressforthepeople.com
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 4304 Forest Bend Road, Dallas, 75244
    • Comments
    • Any educational facility that pursues the traditional news formats may doom their students to failure in the career of their choice before they have a chance to show their talent and worth. Change isn't coming. It's here.
  • Leland Mallett
    • Position
    • Publications Adviser
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 1263 North Main Mansfield, TX 76063
  • Victoria Luna
    • Position
    • Journalism Major
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 714 North Comanche Rm. 561B, 78666
  • Scott Elliott
    • Position
    • journalist
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 1611 S. Main St., Dayton., OH, 45409
  • Richard Stone
    • Position
    • Newspaper & Media Consultant
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 602 E. 7th St. Cameron, Tx 76520
  • Ann Hale
    • Position
    • Former journalism teacher, current English teacher
    • Address; Zip Code
    • Haltom High School, 5501 Haltom Road, Haltom City, TX 76137
  • Catherine Smith
    • Position
    • Editor
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 213 Main Street, 79081
  • David Brooks
    • Position
    • Graduate Student
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 516 W Sycamore 76201
  • Rebecca Davis
    • Position
    • Journalism Adviser
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 75691
  • Debbie Vaughn
    • Position
    • former journalism teacher; Taylor Publishing representative
    • Address; Zip Code
    • PO Box 644, Hawkins, TX 75765
  • Dave Tracy
    • Position
    • Broadcast Journalism Instructor
    • Address; Zip Code
    • #1 Bulldog Dr. Carthage, TX 75633
  • Mark Murray
    • Position
    • Executive Director - Assoc of Texas Photography Instructors
    • Address; Zip Code
    • PO Box 121092 Arlington, TX 76012
  • Brett Hankey
    • Position
    • Journalism Teacher
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 5725 Quicksilver Dr McKinney, TX 75070
    • Comments
    • В
  • Neva Hand
    • Position
    • Retired high school journalism teacher
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 75654
    • Comments
    • The world of professional journalism is changing; High school journalism programs should reflect the dynamic field for which they are preparing their students.
  • Alyssa Armentrout
    • Position
    • journalism teacher
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 75071
  • Linda Carroll
    • Position
    • Broadcast, Journalism, Newspaper instructor
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 77479
  • Norma Latham
    • Position
    • Advisor/Teacher
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 1900 Maverick Dr. Marshall, Tx. 75670
    • Comments
    • We are the best chance of saving the Journalism profession.
  • Janice Cummons
    • Position
    • Newspaper adviser, Journalism Instructor
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 14555 Fern Houston Texas 77079
  • Robin Starnes
    • Position
    • Parent, Pre-School Director
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 104 Lake Lou Ella Drive Bullard, Tx 75757
  • Martha Rice
    • Position
    • teacher
    • Address; Zip Code
    • PO Box 1106, Omaha, TX 75571
  • SARAH BARTON
    • Position
    • YEARBOOK ADVISOR
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 1673 CR 4530, TENAHA, TX 75974
  • Patricia A. Lewis
    • Position
    • Journalism Teacher/Publications Adviser
    • Address; Zip Code
    • P.O. Box 380 Brownsboro, TX 75756
  • Melinda Hargett
    • Position
    • Former high school journalism student
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 3017 Alder Ridge LN, Raleigh, NC, 27603
  • Shannon Page
    • Position
    • adviser
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 75650
  • Connie Scott
    • Position
    • parent
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 77493
  • beverly hollis hood
    • Position
    • Journalism teacher
    • Address; Zip Code
    • 16301 Chimney Rock
    • Comments
    • I support convergent media education