As a former high school teacher and current school attorney, I am concerned about the student journalism award that Rep. Upthegrove received.
He has been pushing irresponsible legislation aimed at removing all adult supervision over high school student publications in Washington public schools. This would have the same effect as removing the driving instructor form the car in Driver's Education classes.
There have not been any situations around the state where students have had their publications censored to make such legislation reasonable. In fact, responsible journalists recognize that such laws are not needed.
As stated in the October 16, 2008 editorial of the Puyallup Herald, "Student newspapers are financed by taxpayers and are operated by school districts for educational purposes. That connection protects students from the liability associated with freedom of the press. The school district, on the other hand, is the target for any lawsuit and, therefore, has a responsibility to review student newspapers to prevent the publication of libelous or offensive material."
Rep. Upthegrove views would remove adult supervision of student publications.
Rep. Upthegrove is foisting potential liabilities upon under-funded school districts. Prior versions of his bill would create more lawsuits filed by students who believe that their "rights" have been disturbed, awarding them their attorneys' fees if they win on any issue.
This is the kind of thing that drives insurance rates up, distracts educators from their proper role of supervising students, and creates another game kids can play with faculty; only this game is played out in court at public expense.
We do not need more senseless litigation. We do not need legislation that sounds and feels good but has hidden traps as the student newspaper legislation Rep. Upthegrove has proposed in the past.
While Rep. Upthegrove has been correct on many other things, this is a situation where somebody is pulling the wool over his eyes by giving him awards for advancing an irresponsible agenda.
Donald F. Austin
Normandy Park
