Statement on registration

Sept. 29, 2020

Scholastic journalism family,

Both Journalism Education Association and National Scholastic Press Association have put forth tremendous effort to reinvent our business model to continue to serve advisers and students this fall. We are excited to offer a virtual version of our flagship event, the JEA/NSPA National High School Journalism Convention. 

But we have heard disconcerting reports that some advisers want to register only themselves and show the content to their media staff and students. 

Please don’t. Not only is this a breach of the participation policy, but there are many more reasons to follow the rules and register each participant.  

1. Students can craft their own schedule to watch sessions that would benefit their specific interest, position or skill set. 
2. Students would be eligible to participate in Swap Shops, Break with a Pro, Critiques, and National Student Media Contests. 
3. Sessions will be available to view after school hours and for nearly two months after the convention so students can continue to engage individually on their own time. 
4. The extended access means participants will get to consume more session content than possible when in person.  
5. The convention is the single greatest financial supporter of JEA and NSPA. In reducing the registration rate, we put our trust in advisers to engage appropriately with the new model.
6. Advisers will have special offerings during the day that are associated with a specific time, so a single screen shared with the class won’t allow for advisers to attend those one-time conversations. 
7. Advisers and students will be able to visit our exhibit hall.
8. Students will have a great opportunity to visit college representatives at our College Corner in the exhibit hall.
9. Students who need assistance can apply for one of the 100 scholarships being offered this convention.

Please know this note is not for everyone. For those of you who have and will register your students, we thank you. We appreciate you taking the time to get individual emails and names into the registration portal. Thank you for your commitment to educate your students.

 Just as a reminder, we set the price for our virtual convention to make it affordable, yet the expenses and time commitment involved in gathering, hosting and running a virtual event are still extensive. The value of what you get will far outweigh the reduced registration fee, which we set to help expand student attendance and participation. 

Our position is simple. If you participate, you must pay for the experience. We know you respect both our organizations and want to do the right thing. 

This year is a challenge for us all. We appreciate your commitment to good journalism. Let’s get everyone registered so they can experience a tremendous virtual convention. 

We thank you for all that you do, and we thank you for registering your group to attend the fall convention.

Kelly Glasscock
Journalism Education Association
kelly@jea.org

Laura Widmer
National Scholastic Press Association
laura@studentpress.org