Student Media in U.S. Secondary Schools Associations with School Demographic Characteristics

Abstract

A survey measured student media availability in a representative sample of U.S. public high schools (N = 1,023). Most schools had yearbooks (94%) and newspapers (64%); some had television programs (29%); few had radio programs (3%). Less than a third of newspapers, television programs, and radio programs distributed content online. Logistic regressions showed that large schools were most likely to have each of the media. Findings also reflected some patterns of educational inequality. High-minority large schools, for instance, were less likely than low-minority large schools to have media. Findings can inform and focus outreach efforts to scholastic journalism.