Journalism Advisory Committee Updates Contests
By Jeanne Acton, Journalism Director | Tuesday, September 09, 2014 10:30 AM
Amazing things happen when you put a group of top-notch journalism advisers together in a room and give them a few hours to work. This summer is proof of that.
In July, 15 or so of your colleagues and I met to discuss, revamp and review the UIL Journalism Contests and the ILPC Contests. The advisory committee, comprised of some of the best advisers across Texas, accomplished more in 8 hours than I could have done all semester long.
Before coming together, I split the committee into five subgroups to focus on the following areas: 1) UIL Journalism Contests 2) ILPC Yearbook Contests 3) ILPC Print Newspaper Contests 4) ILPC Online Newspaper Contests 5) Broadcast Contests.
Each subgroup met for a few hours to discuss proposed changes that advisers emailed to me earlier in the year. Every voice was heard, and every proposal was discussed. Then, the groups came up with recommendations for changes to their area.
After lunch, the subgroups presented their recommendations to the full committee, and the committee discussed and voted on the changes. We had hearty discussion and agreed on some exciting new things for Texas scholastic journalism.
Some changes will take place this year. Others will need approval from the Legislative Council — the UIL governing body made up of Texas superintendents.
The following are some of the changes and recommendations:
1) All Individual Achievement Award contests will see some changes in categories. Most changes are to update categories to fit trends. For example, in Yearbook IAAs we now offer a “Multi-Topic Spread.” Changes in Newspaper IAAs include adding an “Entertainment Photo” category and splitting “Entertainment/Feature Page Design” into two categories. The Yearbook IAAs are currently posted online. Newspaper and Broadcast IAAs will be posted in December.
2) The critique booklets for the ILPC contests will be updated and revised slightly. The yearbook changes will not occur until next contest year due to the timing of the meeting.
3) The committee added a Rookie Yearbook and Newspaper category for schools that have not competed in ILPC for the past three years. I thought this was a brilliant idea. Schools that are new to ILPC or are returning after a three-year or more hiatus now can choose where they want to compete. The Rookie Contest will not be as intimidating for new schools to enter as our large IAA contests.
4) The committee recommended the elimination of the speaker at the State Feature Writing Contest. This would be a C&CR change, so it will have to go before the Legislative Council in October. No change will occur for the 2015 State Meet.
5) The committee recommended adding a 15-minute copyediting contest to the UIL Journalism Contests. It recommended that we reduce the Headline Contest to 30 minutes to accommodate the new contest. This recommendation also would need to go to Legislative Council.
6) Because of constant judging issues, the committee recommended creating an online training program for UIL journalism judges.
7) To help advisers save money and yearbooks, the committee asked that ILPC create an online submission system for IAA entries. ILPC piloted a new system for Broadcast IAAs last year, and now that system is available for yearbook advisers. The link is: https://www.uiltexas.org/machform/view.php?id=63746.
The committee recommended several other changes that will happen as the year continues. I am proud of the work that we accomplished. The changes will continue to keep Texas journalism on the cutting edge.
If you have questions about any of the changes, please call or email me. I would be happy to hear from you.