So, in 2014, Taylor developed a journalism curriculum and began a four-year journey to complete a Kent State University online graduate program for journalism educators. During this time, Archer’s publications students began attending the National High School Journalism Convention and competing in national contests. Archer’s digital newspaper, The Oracle, has twice won National Scholastic Press Association’s Online Pacemaker award, the Pulitzer of high school journalism. Archer has also won the Journalism Education Association’s First Amendment Press Freedom Award for the past three years, one of only three private schools to do so.
Taylor believes a true journalism experience is impossible if an adult at the school is controlling or censoring content, so she works with student editors and the administration to ensure students are fully in charge. Editors complete an introductory journalism course and train as writing coaches and ethical leaders. The Oracle publishes between five and 10 online pieces every week during the school year.
“Schools that force their student press to be a public relations tool are missing an incredible opportunity to teach students the power of their voices,” Taylor says. “My editors enjoy praise when they tell a great story, but they also have to deal with the backlash when they make a mistake or tackle a controversial topic.”
To see professional journalists at work, 27 student newspaper and yearbook staffers from The Archer School for Girls visited the Los Angeles Times in November 2017 with adviser Kristin Taylor. Courtesy of The Archer School for Girls (CA)
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