WhyNewsMatters.org
is an online resource for students, teachers, journalists and communities in Chicago to learn more about news literacy— the ability to use critical thinking skills to judge the reliability and credibility of news reports and information sources. The goal of the site is to increase awareness of news literacy in Chicago by highlighting organizations providing news literacy training and programming and providing useful, informative resources on becoming a more news literate citizen.
About Why News Matters
Why News Matters is a grantmaking program at the Robert R. McCormick Foundation designed to enhance new literacy skills and programs in Chicago and will invest as much as six million dollars in the next three years.
Highlights of the WhyNewsMatters.org include:
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- Find a news literacy program tool: Search a map and database of more than 100+ news literacy program locations across the city.
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- Weekly news updates: Get coverage of local news literacy events and conferences, updates on available curriculum and a calendar of upcoming events.
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- Resources for students, educators, journalists and communities: Browse a repository of research, reports, curriculum, evaluation tools, useful articles and websites on a variety of news literacy topics.
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- Detailed profiles of 25+ news literacy programs in Chicago and nationwide: Includes project information, photos, resources, updates and information on how to get involved in news literacy programming.
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- Source E-newsletter: Subscribe to the Why News Matters e-newsletter, “The Source,” distributed monthly to a high-level audience of policy makers, educators and advocates.
Impact
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- 324 teachers 62 schools were trained in news literacy education through Why News Matters programs in 2013 as of Aug. 1, 2013.
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- 29 active partnerships through the News Literacy Project changed the fabric of communities through in- and after-school programs in 2013-14.
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- 8,685 number of Chicago students (from middle school through high school, in CPS schools, non-CPS schools and after-school programs) reached through Why News Matters news literacy trainings as of Aug. 1, 2013.
Must reads
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- Why News Matters resource page Looking for curriculum ideas? Need research to make a case to start a news literacy program in your school? We’ve compiled the latest and best tools for research, curriculum, advocacy and best practices.
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- The Ultimate Guide to News Literacy. When it comes to news literacy, there are a number of initiatives to develop a student’s ability to separate fact from fiction. Here’s a few.
Sourced from Why News Matters
- The Impact of Food Deserts in Chicago -- A Why News Matters project in association with the City Colleges for Chicago
Contact
Visit WhyNewsMatters.org now or email whynewsmatters@mccormickfoundation.org for more information. How do I submit content or story ideas? Use the Online Content Submission form as a guide to submit content: Or you can forward event information and updates directly to Janet Liao Kornas, WhyNewsMatters.org editor at whynewsmatters@mccormickfoundation.org.