Promoting literacy

Newspaper in Education, or NIE, is an international program that promotes literacy by using the newspaper as a teaching tool. Through NIE programs, teachers use newspapers, in both print and digital form, as a “living textbook” to teach subjects such as history, reading, math, economics and government at all grade levels.

NIE programs are a partnership between the newspaper industry and participating school systems. NIE began at The New York Times in the 1930s, when New York City teachers requested delivery of the Times to school classrooms. Throughout the 40s and 50s, NIE programs spread to other newspapers around the country. By the mid-1960s, there were already more than 100 newspapers sponsoring NIE programs in the United States. By the early 2000s, there were more than 950 NIE programs, serving nearly 40 percent of all public school students in the U.S. Almost all U.S. newspapers with a daily circulation of more than 15,000 have NIE programs.

Enhancing student achievement

Research shows that students using the newspaper as an educational resource score more highly on standardized tests, develop the habit of lifelong reading and are more likely to become engaged citizens and regular voters. Using the newspaper as an educational resource helps students to:

• Develop a better understanding of their community, state, nation and world
• Cultivate critical thinking, reading and writing skills
• Clarify and develop decision-making skills
• Improve math and problem-solving skills

Emphasizing analytical thinking

The Florida Standards provide a robust set of goals for every grade. By emphasizing analytical thinking rather than rote memorization, the Florida Standards aim to prepare students for success in college, career and life.

A primary component of the Florida Standards is the inclusion of informational text in the classroom.

Authors Terrell A. Young and Barbara A. Ward define informational text as “text with the primary purpose of expressing information about the arts, sciences or social studies.” Informational texts found in the newspaper include articles, editorials, graphs, charts, photographs and editorial cartoons.

Every day, teachers throughout the state rely on Newspaper in Education programs as a primary source of informational text to help their students enhance their reading, writing and thinking skills.

Serving educators

NIE serves educators and students by providing schools with educational resources such as:

• Free, sponsored or subsidized print newspapers
• Free, sponsored or subsidized access to newspapers’ digital editions and other online resources
• Original, standards-based curricula
• Free lesson plans and teacher guides
• Free or low-cost teacher workshops and other professional development opportunities
• Teacher appreciation and recognition programs
• Student contests and special programs

Each FPES member newspaper has designed its NIE program to meet the educational needs of its particular community. Visit our members’ websites to learn more about their programs.