Being sent to the principal’s office has always felt like walking toward doom—especially for students who are used to punishment instead of real accountability. This fear-based approach is what many students expect—but your newsroom doesn’t have to operate that way. Here’s how to build a culture where accountability strengthens your newsroom instead of shutting students down.
Clarity, Not Consequences
One of the things I want to be clear about is Clarity, Not Consequences. Most performance issues don’t come from disobedience but from confusion.
Here are some of the reasons why students miss deadlines or instructions:
- They didn’t fully understand what was expected
- Too many tasks were assigned verbally
- The workflow isn’t written anywhere
- They’re afraid to ask for clarification
Group and one-on-one meetings are filled with suggestions… but if not written down, Students often miss deadlines because expectations weren’t written.
Here are some ways to fix it:
Create written expectations that answer three questions:
- What do I need to do?
- When is it due?
- Where do I turn it in?
When clarity improves, accountability naturally follows.
How can we redirect instead of reprimanding?
“Why do you turn in your articles so late?”
Try:
“Let’s look at what’s blocking you and build a process that helps you meet deadlines.”
Here are some phrases you can use:
Redirection phrases advisors can use:
- “Let’s walk through your steps together.”
- “What’s one thing we can adjust to make this easier?”
- “How can I support you so this doesn’t happen again?”
- “Let’s set one clear next step.”
Punishment might work temporarily, but long-term growth is very rare and seems forced.
Examples:
- If a student misses a deadline, their story may be held for the next issue.
- If layout errors slip through, have the student participate in the next proofing session so they can practice catching them.
- If communication breaks down, the student can lead the next planning check-in.
These consequences aren’t “punishments”—they’re experiences that reinforce responsibility.
Your newsroom is a classroom masquerading as a workplace. So when students fail to meet deadlines, don’t catch layout errors before print, it’s rarely intentional. It’s a skill gap.
Ways to teach self-management:
- Weekly newsroom meetings
- Shared content calendars
- Checklists for writers and editors
- Clear approval processes
- A weekly “What’s Stopping You?” discussion
You’re not disciplining them—you’re coaching them.
Accountability isn’t about discipline—it’s about development.
Your goal isn’t to “catch” students messing up, but to guide them toward independence, professionalism, and confidence.
Start small this week—redirect one student, clarify one process, or write down one expectation. Growth begins with the smallest adjustments.
