[This is an outline for a business plan to launch a student newspaper. The complete plan — along with an Adviser’s Guide (yes, in newspapers ‘adviser’ is spelled with an ‘e’ in accordance with Associated Press style), How-To handouts for students, and guidance from the voice of experience — is available as part of my one-week Quick Course for Student Journalists or in conjunction with a contract for a New Student Newspaper Consultation. See Programs & Services for more information.]

 

 

 

Plan for a middle school student newspaper

An outline

 

 

Purpose: What will the students learn? Who will benefit from the student newspaper, and how?

 

Name: How will you choose the newspaper’s name?

 

Publication schedule: When will the paper come out?

 

Format: What will it look like?

 

Budget: What will this cost for a year? What will the expenses be? Where will the money come from?

 

Printing: What will it cost? Where will it be done? How long will it take? In what format will the paper be delivered to the printer?

 

Staff: What staff positions will there be, and what will be the responsibilities of each position? How will staff members be chosen?

 

Staff meetings: When, where, and for how long?

 

Adult supervision: This must be figured out in detail, in advance, and not left to chance.

 

Training: Who will train the students, and what will they learn?

 

What the students will actually do: This can be a general plan, with flexibility depending on the students you get on staff.

 

What the faculty sponsor will do: Teachers need to know this before they commit to the newspaper. How many hours will be involved? Will there be a stipend? (If sports coaches get one, so should the newspaper adviser.)

 

Meeting schedule: Not a bad idea to think out in advance what is to be accomplished at each staff meeting, but it’s not essential at the proposal stage to have a detailed schedule.

 

Other possibilities: What other learning opportunities will you encourage the students and adviser to take advantage of? Remember to include these costs in your budget.