Resources for Students/Educators

Aspiring journalists and educators can get involved with Sunshine Week by participating in Sunshine Week events, creating their own Sunshine Week activities or by simply taking time to learn about open government and its importance to democracy. Below are some resources for student journalists and educators.

Lesson Plans, Activities and Resources

Aspiring journalists and educators can get involved with Sunshine Week by participating in Sunshine Week events, creating their own Sunshine Week activities or by simply taking time to learn about open government and its importance to democracy.

How to conduct an audit
SPJ’s audit toolkit provides you with more info on how to perform a government audit.

SPJ’s step-by-step guide on FOI for students

It’s not easy getting access to public records and meetings when you’re a journalist. It can be even worse when you are a student journalist. If you're unfamiliar with FOI laws, need help submitting a records request or simply don't know where to start, this guide can help.


Student Press Law have Center

Every college student should be familiar with this organization, which is dedicated to press freedom at universities and high schools. The website is loaded with practical guides to accessing public records and meetings, including rights for students at private universities. 


Clery Center

This organization is dedicated to making sure college students are aware of dangers on their campuses. You'll find expert knowledge on the Clery Act, which requires universities to make campus crime information public, including crime logs and annual statistics. 


Department of Education FERPA site

Often school officials will say everything is secret, even the basic fact that a student attends the school, citing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Refer those officials to this official website for the U.S. Department of Education, which enforces FERPA.

FOI and Legal Guides - Resources for student journalists on college campuses