Applications now open for statewide effort to expand journalism education
Applications are now open for the Mississippi High School Journalism Project, a new statewide initiative to bolster journalism education in Mississippi public high schools.
Up to 15 schools will receive access to a groundbreaking new journalism curriculum, expert training, and the specialized resources necessary to launch a credit-bearing journalism course in the Fall 2026 semester.
The project is led by The Bell, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to building the next generation of journalists and civic leaders, and is supported by Press Forward Mississippi, a chapter of a nationwide movement to strengthen communities by reinvigorating local news.
“Our youth are the future of our state, so focusing on the next generation has been central to our strategy for Press Forward Mississippi," said Mike Clayborne, CEO of the CREATE Foundation. "Our media community needs a strong pipeline of ethical, skilled reporters to hire. At the same time, young people in any career path can benefit from gaining communication skills, media literacy and civic awareness. That's why we want more of our young people to have access to journalism programs at school."
Mississippi has an estimated 500 high schools, including both public and private. Of those, less than 15% participate in the Mississippi Scholastic Press Association, which is the primary state network that supports school journalism programs.
Selected schools will receive two years of complimentary MSPA membership, which includes access to conferences, instructional resources, awards competitions and a free subscription to the Journalism Education Association. Additionally, MSPA hosts the annual Overby Adviser Institute, a free summer workshop for any member teacher with fewer than five years of experience as a journalism adviser.
"Having a robust student media program can change the entire climate of a school,” said Dr. R.J. Morgan, MSPA director. “Not only do such programs benefit the students enrolled in the class, they also promote deeper levels of community and camaraderie across campus. If we are going to prepare students for life in the 21st Century, media literacy is a must. And there's no better way to do that than through student media."
While many schools have a yearbook class or media club, few offer a credit-bearing journalism course. Providing access to journalism instruction can equip students with several workforce-ready skills, foster community and civic awareness, and promote democratic participation.
All schools without a current credit-bearing journalism class are welcome to apply. The curriculum is designed to support students’ news gathering and production skills across a variety of mediums, including broadcast, podcasting, and digital news platforms.
The application requires written responses from the prospective teacher, a statement of support from at least one student, and a list of commitments that the principal must agree to adopt.
This project is modeled after “Journalism for All,” a New York City initiative that The Bell’s team is leading in coalition with the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at City University of New York and others. To date, the initiative has supported 30 public high schools in launching new journalism courses and developing plans for student news publications.
Founded in 2017 in New York, The Bell has emerged as a national leader in the youth journalism field. The organization has trained more than 150 high school students through its rigorous audio journalism internships, with its student-led reporting frequently featured on national airwaves. Known for developing innovative youth-adult reporting collaborations with professional newsrooms, The Bell has presented its model for high-impact student storytelling multiple times at major national forums, including SXSW EDU and the Education Writers Association National Seminar.
Building on that success, in 2025, The Bell expanded into Mississippi, launching the Jackson Youth Newsroom, which empowers teens to report on the capital city. Now, with this new statewide project, The Bell aims to open journalism access to even more students across the state.
“Mississippi students have powerful stories to tell,” said Taylor McGraw, The Bell’s executive director. “But too many schools lack the infrastructure to build strong journalism programs. This initiative is about changing that — making sure students across the state have access to quality journalism education and the life-changing opportunities it can provide.”
Applications will be accepted until March 15, and an announcement of selected schools will be released by Monday, March 23.
The application can be found at bellvoices.org/mississippi. Those interested in more information can contact project coordinator Kelly Atwood at kelly@bellvoices.org.
