Sorsogon National High School

Program Description

The program is a nine-year course in Journalism which aims to strengthen free and responsible journalism in Grades 4 to 12 and develop the learner’s skills required in mass communication particularly print and broadcast media. Its main focus is primarily on the mastery of competencies required to land a prolific career in journalism.

 

Rationale

Recognizing the need to build the foundation for developmental journalism as well as to cater to the special needs of gifted learners among Grade 4 to Grade 12 students, the Department of Education (DepEd) launched the Special Program in Journalism (SPJ) which aims to enhance the students’ skills and competencies in this discipline. It caters to students who have chosen journalism as their career pathways in support of the K to 12 Program.

The program supports R.A. 7079, otherwise known as the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, which mandates the Department of Education “to conduct and implement programs in various aspects of journalism.”

 

To ensure effective and efficient operationalization of the Program, all stakeholders should be well-informed of its components and guidelines, hence, the need to undertake the monitoring and evaluation of the program that enables supervisors, school heads, department heads, and teachers, to devise acceptable ways of implementing the SPJ, and to solve issues and concerns that emerge. Moreover, the Monitoring & Evaluation aims to gather information and feedback, the results of which will be useful inputs to the refinement of the program. It will also be an opportunity to meet with project partners from government and non- government organizations and share experiences on journalism related programs.

The curriculum entries and exits are well-crafted to enable non- journalism students’ to easily adjust to the standards of the program.

 

Program Standards

The learner demonstrates understanding of the basic principles and theories of journalism, its practices and techniques and responsibly applies them as tools for effective communication and information.

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Learning Standards

 

Grades 4-6

Journalism 4 - 6

The learners demonstrate understanding of the basic principles and concepts of journalism, its practices and techniques, and responsibly apply them as tools for effective communication of news and information.

 

 

Grade 7

Journalism 7

            The learner demonstrates understanding of the basic principles, theories, practices and techniques of print journalism, its history, legal and ethical standards by producing newsletters responsive to individual, community, societal and global needs.

 

Grade 8

Journalism 8

            The learner demonstrates understanding of the advanced and broader applications of the concepts and techniques of print journalism by producing an eight-page printed or online news publication responsive to individual, community, societal, and global demands.

 

Grade 9

Journalism 9

            The learner demonstrates understanding of the practices, techniques, and fundamentals of broadcast journalism by producing radio news programs in response to the personal, school and community needs.

 

Grade 10

Journalism 10

            The learner demonstrates understanding of the practices, techniques and fundamentals of broadcast journalism by producing TV news programs in response to personal, school and community needs.

 

 

Medium of Instruction

The medium of instruction in all subjects (except in Filipino, Araling Panlipunan, and Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao) of the Special Program in Journalism is English. However, the learner may use English or Filipino whenever written outputs or any form of participation is required.

 

Screening and Admission of Students

Admission is open to incoming Grade 4, Grade 7, and Grade11 learners who have obtained a proficient rating of 85% in English and Filipino and a general weighted average of 85% or above in the previous level, who exhibit talent in journalism based on the results of the qualifying tests and interview to be conducted by the school screening committee.

            The SPJ Qualifying Exam (SPJQE) to be administered by the Central Office through the school screening committee  composed of Objective type  and On-the -spot essay writing .

            Questions to be asked during the interview should focus on assessing the applicant’s oral language proficiency and inclination to journalism to validate the documents submitted and to gauge the applicant’s possibility of succeeding in the program.

 

The requirements for admission are the following:

• Form 138-A (Report Card)

• Certificate of Good Moral Character

• Recommendation Letter from the school paper adviser or English / Filipino  teacher in the previous year 

The combined results of the SPJQE and Interview will be the sole basis in choosing the top 35 students to be admitted in the program.

 

Assessment and Rating System

            The rating system shall be the standards-based assessment as stipulated in DepEd Order No. 8, s. 2015 (See Appendix A).

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Promotion, Retention and Transfer

Promotion shall follow the same policy being applied in the regular program.

In order for the learner to be retained in the program, he/ she should maintain an average of 85% in Journalism and 83% in the core subjects.

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Selection of Honor Students

2.5.1. The School Selection Committee shall determine the over-all ranking of the whole graduating class based on the learners’ performance on the core curriculum and specialization.

           To determine the honor students, the learners shall be recognized according to  academic performance as indicated in DepEd Order 36 s. 2016 Table 4 Criteria for Awards for Outstanding Performance in specific discipline.

2.5.3. Recognition shall be given to students who demonstrate extra ordinary skills in journalism.

 

Welfare and Benefits of Students

            The school, together with the division office and regional office can spearhead a Memorandum of Agreement with the Local Government Units (LGU) and non-government organizations for possible scholarship slots for outstanding students under this program.

 

DepEd Order No. 36 s. 2016, Policy Guidelines on Awards  and Recognition for the K to 12 Basic Education Program

            Annual participation of selected students in the National Schools Press Conference will also provide opportunities for further growth and development of the students under this program.

 

 Class Size

A class under the SPJ must have a maximum of 35 students.

 

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