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.
How to make a FOIA request
Try making a FOIA request or auditing your local government to see how transparent it is in honor of Sunshine Week.Open Government Guide from Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
The Open Government Guide is a complete collection of information on every state’s open records and open-meetings laws.Quotable Freedom of Information experts
Sunshine Week isn’t just for journalists! Make your community aware of Sunshine Week and Sunshine Laws by writing a story. Contact these people for more information and quotes for the story. Here are
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.
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.
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
New England First Amendment Coalition Public Record Law Tutorials
What is FOIA? Learn about the Freedom of Information Act from the US government. Be sure to watch the video.