By Ryan Gunterman
IHSPA Executive Director
The Indiana High School Press Association is proud to announce important changes to the Hoosier Star Student Media Evaluation Service, including the creation of two guidebooks and evaluation opportunities
With the permission of the Kansas Scholastic Press Association, IHSPA has modeled the new Hoosier Star categories and instructional material after the successful All-Kansas critique service. The combined efforts of KSPA and IHSPA allow broadcast and news website programs to utilize the same educational tools that have benefitted Indiana newspaper and yearbook staffs for decades, and all students can learn from expert feedback provided by the country’s top educators and professionals regardless of the storytelling platform.
IHSPA’s goal for the improved critique process and academic criteria within the four guidebooks is to provide all scholastic journalists and their advisers a method for continuously enhancing the overall quality of their program. This is why the new Hoosier Star Student Media Evaluation Service provides an ideal rubric for learning proper journalism, valuable instruction from objective critiques by the best in the field, and high standards to which all may adhere to better serve their audience. Paired with the Indiana academic standards for Journalism and Student Media courses, those who take advantage of the updated Hoosier Star will find it beneficial during traditional class time, planning sessions, regular production cycles, out-of-class workshops, and more.
IHSPA encourages both educators and students to reach out with any questions or concerns about Hoosier Star and suggested additions or subtractions to the guidebooks. This program was rebuilt to constantly evolve so that it may always meet the needs of Indiana scholastic journalism. Email ihspa@franklincollege.edu if you’d like to be a part of it.
The guidebooks, annual submission deadlines, and entry forms are now available on the IHSPA website.
