One way to get the best of both sectional
and functional organizations is to organize quality-control teams. This
approach, used by Taylor, has been adopted by many successful companies
and organizations worldwide.
You organize students into small teams, say three to five students, so
all needed skills are present. Each team should include a writer, designer,
photographer, and team manager. Each team is responsible for groups of
pages within or across a variety of sections. You can even reorganize the
teams during the year as needs change. The goal is to produce higher quality
yearbook pages.
This team approach seems to work well for journalism programs that have
two yearbook classes: Yearbook I and Yearbook II. You can have separate
teams in each class and don't have to worry much about communication between
the two classes. You still have to carefully monitor for consistency in
design, however.
Questions
Answers
| What are some ways to get the most out of my staff? |
First, create a positive and effective work environment. To do this,
keep in mind that organization and motivation go hand in hand.
Work schedules -- Establish specific work schedules for all staff members
and editors. Post a master schedule so there are no misunderstandings
of staff assignments. Set up regular deadlines either weekly or bi-weekly.
The work must progress steadily to enable your staff to meet its deadlines.
The work place -- If possible, have a yearbook office, even if it's
a corner or a partitioned-off section of a classroom. It should be a
place where you can post schedules, where staffers can work when they
have time and where they can gather at lunch or after school. It should
be a fun place to visit, but not a zoo.
Teamwork -- Promoting the spirit of teamwork will create a better work
environment for meeting deadlines. An enthusiastic adviser who works
alongside the staff can make the work more fun.
Training -- Hold sessions on layout and design, page preparation, copywriting,
advertising sales, etc. Make sure your staff has the knowledge and expertise
to get the job done, or know where to find the right information. Take
advantage of Taylor's training resources. And for a real head start
on the year, attend a yearbook workshop.
Contact your sales representative, national journalism organizations
or a university school of journalism near you for workshop information
in your area. If you have veteran staffers, get them involved in training
new staffers before the school year begins. Establish a mentoring program
where veteran students are assigned one or more novices to develop.
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| What is the best way to handle grading?
|
How you grade depends on a number of criteria, including
your school's curriculum requirements and educational policies.
It's important to remember, however, that yearbook is unlike other classes
in that students are expected to produce a real product, on-time, through
their work, in addition to the learning objectives.
For that reason, grades must be based both on what students learn and what
they produce.
Criteria to include:
| • |
Meeting deadlines |
| • |
Quantity and quality of work |
| • |
Attendance and participation |
Some advisers grade using a point system. Others start staffers with
an "A" and deduct points for missed deadlines or weak work.
Some advisers negotiate extra-credit points for volunteer staffers
with other teachers. If you use a mini-deadline system, where staffers
are required to meet several small deadlines prior to the final deadline,
grade staffers on quality and efficiency each time they turn in pages.
Whatever system you choose, adopt one that makes grading simple.
One model for a point system is described on pages six and seven of
the teacher's supplement to SAM (Student Adviser Materials).
Click here for information on SAM.
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| I want to motivate kids to sell ads
and books. Can I grade for this?
|
Some advisers do. But others feel that you can run into
fairness problems and infuriated parents. Some students may not have
equal access to businesses or buyers that can afford ads or books. They
may lack transportation or simply live in less affluent areas. And,
let's face it, some kids are born salespeople and some aren't.
You could award extra-credit points for meeting sales goals. Or just
motivate students to sell more through food (pizza!), movie passes or
special privileges.
You may still want to require that all students spend some effort on
business activities, such as record-keeping, sending invoices, mailing
letters to parents, collecting funds and more. After all, the business
side of yearbooks is vital. Every student will benefit from exposure
to these activities.
See also Taylor’s SAM curriculum for more information on this
topic.
Click here for information on SAM.
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|
| Our yearbook is an extracurricular
activity. What do we need to be aware of?
|
You can produce a great yearbook with a volunteer staff.
They often feel more ownership for the book than kids who are graded
for their work and have to attend class. On the other hand, competition
for students' time can become a factor unless expectations and guidelines
are laid out clearly.
Volunteer staffers should still complete an application to be eligible
for a staff position. Creating a limited membership can increase interest
for being on staff. But since these staffers are presumably there because
they want to be, you must pay attention to motivation. Use incentives
like praise, food, bylines, school privileges and public recognition.
A lot of advisers provide free yearbooks to staff members who go the
distance.
Also, with an after-school staff, it's important that parents understand
the level of commitment you expect and the hours required of their student.
A contract signed up-front by the parent will help.
A lot of volunteer staffs report that some of their best work gets done
(and the most fun occurs) when the staff spends an entire evening or
two spread out on the floor working at someone's house. Pizza, popcorn
and soft drinks provide the needed fuel for these productive sessions.
See also Taylor’s SAM curriculum for more information on this
topic.
Click here for information on SAM.
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| What exactly is my role as an adviser?
|
The adviser's job is that of a leader, manager and delegator.
Effective advisers have learned to share responsibility in return for
productive staff members.
Adviser job description:
| • |
Responsible for the overall production
and marketing of the yearbook, the fiscal responsibility and management
of the staff. |
| • |
Keeps the staff on task to complete the production and
business aspects of the yearbook. |
| • |
Establishes the production schedule with the editor
to meet deadlines. |
| • |
Responsible for meeting printer's deadlines. |
| • |
Reviews all copy, pictures and art prior to plant submission
of the book. |
| • |
Selects the staff. |
| • |
Keeps the staff motivated, organized and working. |
| • |
Acts as a liaison between staff and school administrators. |
| • |
Sets up the budget with the business manager and editor. |
| • |
Oversees sales and advertising campaigns. |
| • |
Audits records of both book sales and advertising sales. |
| • |
Works with the photo editor and/or photo instructor
to coordinate all student and professional photography. |
It's also your job to have fun. This really should be an enjoyable
and rewarding experience. You have the opportunity to watch kids develop
skills and talents in ways that few other classes can provide.
See also Taylor’s SAM curriculum for more information on this topic.
Click here for information on SAM.
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| What's the best way to handle editorial
policy or controversial issues?
|
In most cases, the yearbook is not the best forum for
discussing controversial issues. The policy for stories about gangs,
gay students, drugs, teen pregnancy, racial issues, sex, etc., should
be established by you and your administration and community.
The courts have held that schools have rights of censorship in student publications
(Hazelwood School District vs. Kuhlmeier, 484 U.S. 260 (1988)) though that
doesn't mean you can't include mature coverage of controversial issues. But
if you do decide to include such topics, the best advice is to get the backing
of your administration first.
Some schools create a publications’ council to handle controversial
issues, establish editorial policies and resolve personnel problems. The committee
usually consists of editors and advisers from the newspaper, the literary
magazine and the yearbook. Other members may include parents, a photography
adviser, photo editor and a school administrator. All matters that cannot
be handled by the staff should be brought before the council, where each member
has one vote. The council is not a censoring body, but is the vehicle for
solving problems. In addition, it's a good idea to have a staff manual/handbook
stating staff and editorial policies. Issue a manual to each staffer at the
beginning of the year.
See also Taylor’s SAM curriculum for more information on this topic.
Click here for information on SAM.
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| Are there any resources for yearbook
legal questions?
|
Yes. The Student Press Law Center (SPLC), a non-profit
legal service for scholastic journalists, provides free advice, information
and assistance on a wide range of legal topics. They can answer questions
on censorship, defamation (libel), copyrights/trademarks, privacy issues
and more. They assist student journalists in obtaining pro-bono counsel
and write friends-of-the-court briefs in important press law cases.
Their comprehensive handbook, Law of the Student Press, is an invaluable
staff reference.
You can also call or write the SPLC at:
1101 Wilson Blvd.
Suite 1910
Arlington, VA 22209
703-807-1904
e-mail:splc@splc.org
Web address: http://www.splc.org
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| What's the value of attending a yearbook
workshop?
|
It's not uncommon to get more done in a few days at
a summer workshop than in weeks during the school year. The time spent
is comprehensive, uninterrupted and intensive. The staff learns a lot
about themselves, the skills they need and your expectations. They'll
hear workshop instructors back-up your own instruction and they'll get
inspiration from seeing other staffs work. Sure, it may take a few days
of your summer break, but it can very well save you immeasurable time
during the school year. Ask your Taylor representative about workshops
in your area and click here to learn more about
attending a yearbook workshop. Many state journalism organizations
also offer wonderful workshop opportunities. Visit their web sites listed
under Helpful Links.
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