ScoCo’s SoJo Idea

(That’s Scott Collins’ solutions journalism idea.)

Covers a response to a problem and how it happened

• Proposed story idea: This past year, the Puma Press reported on students’ struggle with mental health issues. A solutions journalism approach would allow students to follow up their reporting by looking at steps other schools have taken to address students’ mental health. What has been successful that we could incorporate at our school? 

Provides evidence of impact, looking at effectiveness, not just intentions

• The article would most likely rely on qualitative responses from students, counselors, teachers and administrators are schools that have seen success. Ideally, research would also uncover schools that have quantitatively tracked results over time through student surveys. 

Produces insights that can help others respond

• Could we adopt new approaches in place at other schools? Could we modify our current approaches based on what other schools are doing? (For example, we have a social emotional learning program, but students often roll their eyes when the term is used.)

Points out any limitations or caveats of the response

• It would be worthwhile to consider the resources available at schools that have seen success and whether the student population is similar to ours.