9 High schools receive national award for support of First Amendment rights

11.16.00

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KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Nine public high schools across the U.S. have received the "First Amendment High Schools 2000" award, a new program that honors public high schools for respecting and protecting First Amendment rights for students and teachers.

Kenneth A. Paulson, executive director of the First Amendment Center, recognized the schools during the convention of the Journalism Education Association and the National Scholastic Press Association Nov. 16 in Kansas City, Mo. The award is sponsored by the First Amendment Center, the Journalism Education Association, the National Scholastic Press Association, the Columbia Scholastic Press Association and Quill and Scroll.

"These awards honor high schools, administrators and faculty members for educating students about the First Amendment through both classroom instruction and a schoolwide commitment to these most fundamental freedoms," Paulson said. "First Amendment High Schools both respect and reflect America's most treasured rights and values."

Every public high school in the U.S. was invited to qualify. The winners were selected from more than 200 schools that replied to a first round questionnaire. Eighty-three of those qualified as semi-finalists and were sent a second, more in-depth questionnaire. Only nine schools met the criteria for recognition as a place where the First Amendment is appreciated and considered an important part of student life and the educational experience. This is the first year of the program, and schools are invited to qualify annually. There is no limit on the number of schools that will be recognized each year.

The winners passed muster on a variety of issues, such as protecting textbooks and library books from censorship, allowing students or teachers to decline to stand or recite the Pledge of Allegiance and protecting students' artistic expression. In the final analysis, the issue of whether students had editorial rights over their media made the most difference.

The following schools (in alphabetical order) were recognized at the opening of the convention at the Hyatt Regency Crown Center:

Davenport Central High School, Davenport, Iowa: The principal, students and adviser at Davenport Central High successfully fought a recent school policy that blocked Internet access, resulting in unfiltered access in the journalism classroom and media center.

Johnsburg High School, McHenry, Ill.: Only a handful of high schools in the country publish a weekly school newspaper, and Johnsburg High is one of them. The school's policy manual specifies that control over the student newspaper rests with the newspaper's board of student editors. Johnsburg has been a driving force behind proposed state legislation guaranteeing students control of their media.

Lakewood High School, Lakewood, Ohio: Students' right to free expression has been a tradition at Lakewood High since 1921. Its newspaper is declared an open forum to ensure First Amendment rights. Lakewood also provides training to its faculty on religious rights in the school environment.

McLean High School, McLean, Va.: McLean High practices under the Fairfax County policy, which states that "student publications operate under an open forum philosophy whereby a 'marketplace of ideas' exists."

Mountlake Terrace High School, Mountlake Terrace, Wash.: It is policy at Mountlake Terrace High that students have the final say on what they publish in their newspaper, which also serves the surrounding community.

Muncie Central High School, Muncie, Ind.: The adviser and students at Muncie Central High spent years fighting a controlling, adversarial school administration. Today, they are operating with freedom under new administrators who support and encourage enterprising student reporters and editors. The adviser has been named a USA Today "All USA" teacher.

Natrona County High School, Casper, Wyo.: Natrona County High has been active in protecting student decision-making power over their publications, and has published a clearly worded, easy-to-understand set of "Policies and Checklists" that covers everything from obituaries to conflicts of interest to diversity.

Oak Park High School, Kansas City, Mo.: Oak Park High is one of the few schools that sponsors journalism internships for their students. Students also have final say on what they publish in their newspaper and yearbook.

Townsend Harris High School, Flushing, N.Y.: Townsend Harris High operates under the U.S. Supreme Court's Tinker decision of 1969, that declared teachers and students do not shed their First Amendment rights at the schoolhouse gate. The school teaches religion as literature and history, and encourages students to discuss their religions through class discussion, dress and participation in multi-cultural activities.

For additional information, or to arrange interviews with award recipients, contact Sheila Owens, 212/317-6517 or Ellen Ross, 212/317-6519.