I am troubled by the classification of the two courses I inherited because I never gave much thought as to how each course would be considered on a student's high school transcript. I began to panic when registration for next school year threatened my most dedicated staff members. Why? They lacked an art credit. Intro to Jewelry Making , Beginning Painting, or Intro to Theater seems to be a greater priority than a student publication. This lead me to express an array of emotions from worry to anger to upset to confusion in a most unprofessional manner to the kindest and most understanding guidance counselor. How DARE she not allow my students to continue in Journalism class? Isn't producing an on-line newspaper more important than painting geometrical shapes of symmetry in contrasting colors? Aren't the skills of the business and financial end of Yearbook just as worthy and competitive as the Business Operations class?
So I continued to seek answers to my whiney, complainy vent about why Journalism and Yearbook cannot be considered a fine art. The Journalism program, only 2 years old, was threatened into extinction. I did my Google research and found a compelling article that featured this topic. I printed this article, highlighted key points, and made an appointment with the head guidance counselor. I was then told that the AZ Board of Regents determines what they will accept on a student's transcript. I found another document from the AZ Board of Regents that considered print making, photography, and graphic design as an art credit. However, this document does not specify Journalism or Yearbook. I won't give up my fight to properly classify these electives appropriately.
http://www.poynter.org/uncategorized/92163/high-school-journalism-classes-threatened-in-florida/
http://www.azed.gov/endorsement-tuition-scholarship/files/2011/09/aborsamplecorecourseguide.pdf
In the lost sea of common electives, I have learned that high schools across the country classify student publications in a no size fits all slot. A filler course. A half credit here or there. No wonder why students are frustrated when they are forced to drop out of Journalism and create a ceramic mug, (aka dust collector or pencil holder,) as a final product. Once that mug shatters into irreplaceable pieces, students can browse through the memory pages of their yearbook and look fondly upon their high school years. Some will laugh and smile, some will reflect and question. And yes, some might even wonder whatever happened to that geometrical shapes of symmetry in contrasting colors painting.
Photo courtesy of S. Fonzo
Respectfully Submitted,
Sharon Fonzo
Poston Butte High School
San Tan Valley, Arizona
Sharon - Journalism is still finding it's place in secondary education, although it's moving—slowly—in the right direction. When I started 18 years ago, I was dropped into the middle of an debacle whether journalism and yearbook should earn a practical art credit. Once upon a time, it was just an elective (5.5 required for graduation). We got the practical art designation (2 fine and/or practical arts required for graduation) and that helped. Then we fought to become CTE. That didn't help much with credits, but it helped tremendously with funding. While becoming a fine art would certainly help with the credits, I'm not qualified, so it would hurt me personally to have to go back and become qualified to teach journalism as a fine art.
ReplyDeleteBut there was hope on the horizon in the last legislative session (although I've lost track of where the bill currently is). The current graduation requirement is any combination of 2 fine/practical/CTE credits. It's the in-state universities that request the fine art credit. However, HB2261, which, to my knowledge was last in the Senate Education Committee and passed on a 4-1-2 vote, would require "the Arizona Board of Regents to accept career and technical education credits in place of fine arts credits required for university admission." This would be HUGE for CTE journalism/yearbook programs across the state. And then we probably wouldn't be losing students to ceramics and Film Study.
Kris Urban
Corona del Sol High School
Tempe, Ariz.
Kris,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your feedback and professional knowledge on this issue. I am not CTE certified either and the last time I checked the Dept of Ed Certification requirements, they are pretty stringent.
http://www.azed.gov/educator-certification/files/2014/01/requirements-for-career-and-technical-education-industrial-and-emerging-technologies-certificate.pdf?20150122
I also had a conversation with my principal, who is a former Journalism adviser herself, about how to get the course listed as CTE. I understand it is a tedious process that requires a bit of red tape. Plus, she challenged me to grow the program first, and then we can revisit the CTE request. Fair enough!
Sharon - I didn't remember the process of becoming CTE certified too difficult, so I read the requirements your posted. I have a degree in journalism and professional experience in the field, and I often forget how much easier that makes everything. Do you have either a journalism degree or any field experience to get you halfway there?
ReplyDeleteI will talk to some teachers in my district, though, who I don't think have degrees and/or experience and see what they did to get their certification. I do know that my district was, and continues to be, VERY supportive. That helps tremendously.
Kris Urban
Corona del Sol High School
Tempe, Ariz.
Kris,
ReplyDeleteNo, I do not have a degree in Journalism and I hardly consider my 1 year of winging it with Journalism any kind of industry experience at all! My district does support a growing CTE program, but just not on their stance about Journalism until the program begins to blossom. I am just not experienced enough in the field and I know this will take time to develop my skills.
Sharon Fonzo
Poston Butte HS
San Tan Valley, Arizona