Mississippi

High School Journalism Project

〰️ Newspapers

〰️ Radio

〰️ Yearbooks

〰️ Broadcasts

〰️ Literary Magazines

〰️ Podcasts

〰️ Newspapers 〰️ Radio 〰️ Yearbooks 〰️ Broadcasts 〰️ Literary Magazines 〰️ Podcasts

Are you ready to bring a student journalism program to your public high school?

Apply by March 15, 2026 to join an exclusive statewide cohort that will receive training and resources to create a journalism course and student news outlet beginning in the 2026-27 school year. As a member of the cohort, your school will also receive dedicated coaching and professional networking opportunities.

Apply Now!

The application should be completed by the teacher who will lead the journalism course.

What Your School Commits To:

  • Identify a teacher who wants to become a trained journalism educator

  • Offer a credit-bearing journalism course starting in the 2026-27 school year

  • Launch or strengthen a student news publication

  • Create a school-wide culture that embraces and supports student journalism

  • That’s it!

What Your School Receives:

  • Free journalism teacher training led by national experts

  • Free comprehensive high school journalism curriculum

  • Free coaching from experienced Mississippi high school journalism advisers

  • Two years of complimentary Mississippi Scholastic Press Association membership

  • Additional fundraising support to equip your school with new technology and resources

Timeline

March 15

Applications due

March 31

Selected teachers invited to attend MSPA conference at University of Mississippi in Oxford

April – May

Teachers attend 3 virtual trainings to prepare for summer intensive; receive access to comprehensive journalism curriculum

June 15-18

Teachers participate in intensive training led by national journalism education expert Katina Paron at University of Mississippi in Oxford

Fall 2026

New courses launch. Teachers receive ongoing coaching and technical assistance to support the development of a student news outlet.

Spring 2027

Teachers and students attend MSPA spring convention at University of Mississippi in Oxford.

Why is journalism needed in Mississippi schools?

Courtesy Mississippi Scholastic Press Association

Students in high-school newsrooms gain vital skills in communication, critical thinking, civic awareness, media literacy, leadership, real-world storytelling and career-ready skills — all of which will contribute to their futures and to our state’s future.

Courtesy Mississippi Scholastic Press Association

Research shows that involvement with journalism classes correlates with higher SAT verbal, ACT English, and ACT reading scores.

— Newspaper Association of America

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Sessions will start Monday morning, June 15, and end Thursday, June 18, by 3 p.m. You will receive hands-on training from renowned journalism educator and author Katina Paron, who led the development of the “Journalism for All” curriculum that you’ll be using. Katina will preview the full 160-lesson curriculum, model some of the key activities, and support you as you customize the curriculum to meet the needs of your students. The week will also include professional networking and socializing opportunities with the broader Mississippi Scholastic Press Association Community. Travel, lodging, and breakfast and lunch each day, will be covered.

  • You can find an overview of the curriculum here: www.teachjournalismforall.com/the-curriculum/

    • Developing critical thinking skills

    • Strengthening democracy

    • Learning to share their generation’s perspective 

    • Developing skills in written and oral communication

    • Developing digital and media literacy skills

    • Building a strong sense of community and civic awareness

    • Developing story telling skills that can provide an understanding of different perspectives and issues

  • The school is free to choose the medium. The only requirement is that the publication is paired with a new credit-bearing journalism class. Media choices can include:

    • digital news site

    • printed newspaper

    • video broadcast

    • podcast

    • digital newsletter

    • more!

    • An annual fall and spring conference for advisers and students

    • A three-day summer workshop for advisers in Oxford

    • Free contests for students with awards and a judge’s evaluation and feedback

    • Free Journalism Education Association membership. JEA offers helpful online resources for teachers such as lesson plans, standards, and PowerPoints on writing, design, marketing, photography and video production. 

    • A listserve for MS high school advisers 

    • All resources on the MPSA website

  • Apply anyway. Preference will be given to teachers who can commit to the full program, but we may be able to make accommodations.

  • While we cannot guarantee direct financial support for your school journalism program, our team is committed to helping your school secure philanthropic support for equipment and technology.

  • Please reach out to Kelly at the email address below so that she can meet with him or her and address any concerns.

  • At this time, the program is only open to public high schools.

For more information, contact Project Coordinator Kelly Atwood at kelly@bellvoices.org.

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