Texas Educational Standards for Journalism as found in Chapter 110 TEKS for English Language Arts and Reading Subchapter C. High School

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Statutory Authority: The provisions of this Subchapter C issued under the Texas Education Code, §28.002, unless otherwise noted.

§110.41. Implementation of Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for English Language Arts and Reading, High School.

The provisions of this subchapter shall be implemented by school districts beginning September 1, 1998, and at that
time shall supersede §75.61 of this title (relating to
English Language Arts).

Source: The provisions of this §110.41 adopted to be effective September 1, 1998, 22 TexReg 7549.

§110.62. Journalism (One-Half to One Credit).

(a) Introduction.

(1) Students enrolled in Journalism write in a variety of forms for a variety of audiences and purposes. High school students enrolled in this course are expected to plan, draft, and complete written compositions on a regular basis, carefully examining their papers for clarity, engaging language, and the correct use of the conventions and mechanics of written English. In Journalism, students are expected to write in a variety of forms and for a variety of audiences and purposes. Students will become analytical consumers of media and technology to enhance their communication skills. Writing, technology, visual, and electronic media are used as tools for learning as students create, clarify, critique, write, and produce effective communications. Students enrolled in Journalism will learn journalistic traditions, research self-selected topics, write journalistic texts, and learn the principles of publishing. For high school students whose first language is not English, the students' native language serves as a foundation for English language acquisition and language learning.

(2) The essential knowledge and skills as well as the student expectations for Journalism, an elective course, are described in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Knowledge and skills.

(1) The student demonstrates an understanding of media
development, press law, and responsibility. The student is expected to:

(A) identify the history and development of American journalism through people and events;
(B) identify the foundations of journalistic ethics; and
(C) distinguish between responsible and irresponsible media action.

(2) The student reports and writes for a variety of audiences and purposes and researches self-selected topics to write journalistic texts. The student is expected to:

(A) locate information sources such as persons, databases, reports, and past interviews; gathers background information; and researches to prepare for an interview or investigate a topic;
(B) plan and write relevant questions for an interview or in-depth research;
(C) evaluate and confirm the validity of background information from a variety of sources such as other qualified persons, books, and reports;
(D) incorporate direct and indirect quotes and other research to write in copy;
(E) revise and edit copy using appropriate copyreading and proofreading symbols;
(F) use different forms of journalistic writing such as reviews, ad copy, columns, news, features, and editorials to inform, entertain, and/or persuade;
(G) demonstrate an understanding of the elements of news through writing;
(H) select the most appropriate journalistic format of present content;
(I) use journalistic style;
(J) gather information through interviews (in person or telephone);
(K) write captions;
(L) demonstrate an understanding of the function of headlines through the writing of headlines; and
(M) rewrite copy.

(3) The student demonstrates understanding of the principles of publishing through design using available technologies. The student is expected to:

(A) identify the variety of journalistic publications and products such as newspapers, newsmagazines, and newsletters;
(B) design elements into an acceptable presentation;
(C) use illustrations or photographs that have been cropped, to communicate and emphasize a topic;
(D) use graphic devices such as lines, screens, and art to communicate and emphasize a topic;
(E) prepare a layout for publication; and
(F) design an advertisement for a particular audience.

(4) The student demonstrates an understanding of the economics of publishing. The student is expected to:

(A) differentiate between advertising appeals and propaganda;
(B) demonstrate understanding of the type of advertising such as classified, display, or public service; and
(C) understand general salesmanship in selling student- produced publications.

Source: The provisions of this §110.62 adopted to be effective September 1, 1998, 22 TexReg 7549.

§110.63. Independent Study in Journalism (One-Half to One Credit).

(a) Introduction.

(1) Students enrolled in Independent Study in Journalism write in a variety of forms for a variety of audiences and purposes. High school students enrolled in this course are expected to plan, draft, and complete written communications on a regular basis, carefully examining their copy for clarity, engaging language, and using the conventions and mechanics of written English correctly. Students will become analytical consumers of media and technology to enhance their communication skills. Writing, technology, visual, and electronic media are used as tools for learning as students create, clarify, critique, write, and produce effective communications. Students enrolled in
Independent Study in Journalism will refine and enhance their journalistic skills, research self-selected topics, plan, organize, and prepare a project(s). For high school students whose first language is not English, the students' native language serves as a foundation for English language acquisition and language learning.

(2) The essential knowledge and skills as well as the student expectations for Independent Study in Journalism, an elective course, are described in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Knowledge and skills.

(1) The student refines and enhances journalistic skills.
The student is expected to:

(A) formulate questions, refine topics, and clarify ideas;
(B) organize and support what is known and what needs to be learned about a topic;
(C) compile information from primary and secondary sources using available technology;
(D) organize information from multiple sources, including primary and secondary sources;
(E) link related information and ideas from a variety of sources; and
(F) access appropriate print and non-print information using text and technical resources, including databases.

(2) The student produces visual representations that communicate with others. The student is expected to:

(A) conduct a research project(s) with instructor guidance and produce an original work in print or another medium demonstrating advanced skill; and
(B) use a range of techniques in planning and creating projects.

Source: The provisions of this §110.63 adopted to be effective September 1, 1998, 22 TexReg 7549.

§110.64. Advanced Broadcast Journalism I, II, III (One-Half Credit to One Credit).

(a) Introduction.

(1) Students need to be critical viewers, consumers, and producers of media. The ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and produce communication in a variety of forms is an important part of language development. High school students enrolled in this course will apply and use their journalistic skills for a variety of purposes. Students will learn the laws and ethical considerations that affect broadcast journalism; learn the role and function of broadcast journalism; critique and analyze the significance of visual representations; and learn to produce by creating a broadcast journalism product. For high school students whose first language is not English, the students' native language serves as a foundation for English language acquisition and language learning.

(2) The essential knowledge and skills as well as the student expectations for Advanced Broadcast Journalism I, II, III, elective courses, are described in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Knowledge and skills.

(1) The student demonstrates knowledge of broadcast journalism. The student is expected to:

(A) identify the historical development of broadcasting from early radio to present day television;
(B) identify the function and role of broadcast media (radio, television) in society;
(C) evaluate the laws and ethical considerations affecting broadcast journalism;
(D) explore the impact of radio and television on society;
(E) identify the role of broadcast media consumers; and
(F) identify the strategies of broadcasting to reach certain audiences, including programming decisions.

(2) The student recognizes how broadcast productions are
created and disseminated. The student is expected to:

(A) understand the role of various personnel, including producers, station managers, technical directors, camera operators, and news anchors, in broadcast journalism;
(B) identify technical elements of broadcast production used to create and deliver news such as equipment, camera basics, editing, and captions;
(C) understand the economics of broadcasting such as
advertising and public funds; and
(D) demonstrate understanding of how media content is produced by creating and presenting a broadcast journalism product such as a news report, or an interview.

Source: The provisions of this §110.64 adopted to be effective September 1, 1998, 22 TexReg 7549.

§110.65. Photojournalism (One-Half to One Credit).

(a) Introduction.

(1) Students enrolled in Photojournalism communicate in a variety of forms for a variety of audiences and purposes. High school students are expected to plan, interpret, and critique visual representation, carefully examining their product for publication. Students will become analytical consumers of media and technology to enhance their communication skills. High school students will study the laws and ethical considerations that impact photography. Technology, visual, and electronic media are used as tools for learning as students create, clarify, critique, and produce effective visual representations. Students enrolled in this course will refine and enhance their journalistic skills, plan, prepare, and produce photographs for a journalistic publication. For high school students whose first language is not English, the students' native language serves as a foundation for English language acquisition and language learning.

(2) The essential knowledge and skills as well as the student expectations for Photojournalism, an elective course, are described in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Knowledge and skills.

(1) The student interprets/critiques visual representations. The student is expected to:

(A) recognize the major events in the development of modern day photography;
(B) recognize composition principles and their impact
on photography;
(C) recognize and apply ethical and legal standards to all aspects of photojournalism; and
(D) recognize the impact of electronic technology and future trends in digital imaging on the traditional field of photo journalism.

(2) The student produces visual representations that communicate with others. The student is expected to:

(A) identify the basic parts of a camera and their functions;
(B) identify different types of film and determine their appropriate uses;
(C) produce a properly exposed print where the subject is sharply focused and demonstrate the use of the elements or principles of design;
(D) use lighting and be aware of its qualities such as direction, intensity, color, and the use of artificial light;
(E) stop action by determining appropriate shutter speed or use panning or hand holding with slower shutter speeds;
(F) evaluate technical qualities of photos;
(G) practice safety in handling and disposing of chemicals when operating in a darkroom;
(H) learn the theory of film developing by understanding the latent image, film structure, and method of development;
(I) use appropriate equipment to process film and make prints and make contact sheets;
(J) create digitized images using technology to complete the process; and
(K) improve print quality by using appropriate equipment or technology.

(3) The student incorporates photographs into journalistic
publication. The student is expected to:

(A) plan photo layouts;
(B) illustrate events with appropriate photos and captions;
(C) plan photographs in relation to assignments from an editor; and
(D) set up or follow a system for keeping track of negatives, photo images, contact sheets, and meeting deadlines.

Source: The provisions of this §110.65 adopted to be effective September 1, 1998, 22 TexReg 7549.

§110.66. Advanced Journalism: Yearbook I, II, III/Newspaper I, II, III/Literary Magazine (One-Half to One Credit).

(a) Introduction.

(1) Students enrolled in Advanced Journalism: Yearbook I, III, III/Newspaper I, II, III/Literary Magazine communicate in a variety of forms for a variety of audiences and purposes. High school students are expected to plan, draft, and complete written and/or visual communications on a regular basis, carefully examining their copy for clarity, engaging language, and the correct use of the conventions and mechanics of written English. In Advanced Journalism: Yearbook I, II, III/Newspaper I, II, III/Literary Magazine, students are expected to become analytical consumers of media and technology to enhance their communication skills. In addition, students will learn journalistic ethics and standards. Writing, technology, and visual and electronic media are used as tools for learning as students create, clarify, critique, write, and produce effective communications. Students enrolled in Advanced Journalism: Yearbook I, II, III/Newspaper I, II, III/Literary Magazine will refine and enhance their journalistic skills, research self-selected topics, and plan, organize, and prepare a project(s). For high school students whose first language is not English, the students' native language serves as a foundation for English language acquisition and language learning.

(2) The essential knowledge and skills as well as the student expectations for Advanced Journalism: Yearbook I, II, III/Newspaper I, II, III/Literary Magazine, elective courses, are described in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Knowledge and skills.

(1) The student understands individual and staff responsibilities of coverage appropriate for the publication's audience. The student is expected to:

(A) understand the role and responsibilities of each staff member and the purpose of the publication;
(B) use the skills necessary to plan and produce a publication;
(C) read other publications, both professional and student-produced, and generate story ideas of interest or of need to the publication's audience;
(D) conduct research using a variety of sources such as firsthand interviews and other means available, including the Internet; and
(E) conceive coverage ideas and create multifaceted presentations of material, including but not limited to, standard story form, infographics, sidebars, photos, and art.

(2) The student understands journalistic ethics and standards and the responsibility to cover subjects of interest and importance to the audience. The student is expected to:

(A) find a variety of sources to provide balance to coverage;
(B) compose the story accurately keeping his/her own opinion out of non-editorial coverage;
(C) provide editorial coverage to inform and encourage the reader to make intelligent decisions;
(D) critique the publication to find its strengths and weaknesses and work toward an improved product based on those critiques; and
(E) actively seeks non-staff opinion on the publication and determine whether that opinion should affect the publication.

(3) The student understands all aspects of a publication and the means by which that publication is created. The student is expected to:

(A) report and write for publications;
(B) write and design headlines for publications;
(C) research and write captions for publications;
(D) plan and produce photographs for publications;
(E) design publications;
(F) create and follow a financial plan for supporting publications, including sales and advertising; and
(G) consider finances in making decisions, including number of pages and cost-incurring extras such as color, paper quality, number of copies.

(4) The student produces publications. The student is expected to:

(A) determine which events and issues are newsworthy for a readership;
(B) use skills in reporting and writing to produce publications;
(C) select the most appropriate journalistic format to present content;
(D) create pages for publications;
(E) incorporate photographs with captions or graphics into publications;
(F) use available technology to produce publications; and
(G) evaluate stories/coverage for balance and readability.

(5) The student demonstrates leadership and teamwork abilities. The student is expected to:

(A) determine roles for which different team members will assume responsibility;
(B) determine coverage and concepts for publications;
(C) develop a deadline schedule and a regular means of
monitoring progress;
(D) submit work for editing and critiquing and make appropriate revisions;
(E) edit and critique work of others; and
(F) work cooperatively and collaboratively through a variety of staff assignments.

Source: The provisions of this §110.66 adopted to be effective September 1, 1998, 22 TexReg 7549.

Officers:

President
Sarah Nichols

Past President
Don Bott

Treasurer
Randy Hamm

State Regional Director
Lynn McDaniel