Last school year ended in a way no one could have predicted and the coming school year is clouded by uncertainty. We understand that submitting your staff’s 2020 yearbook may not be your top priority, or even possible, right now.
Acknowledging the unusual circumstances we experienced this year, the Michigan Interscholastic Press Association has extended its Spartan critique regular postmark deadline for spring delivery yearbooks to Aug. 17. The late deadline for spring books has been extended to Nov. 16.
If you have not yet received your book from your printer or cannot get to your book because of restricted school building access, you can request a further extension without paying the late entry fee.
We hope these changes will allow you to participate in this important educational tool. Feedback from a critique can help inform your students of best practices leading to a sound journalistic publication. Don’t allow COVID-19 to take this invaluable opportunity away from your students.
We have made an addition to the critique entry form this year that allows you to explain the special circumstances your publication experienced during the COVID-19 shut down: How did this impact coverage decisions? Were there elements of the book that needed to be completed by the adviser, printer or other non-students? Is there anything else the judge should know about the impact of the pandemic that could guide their critique? Using this information, the judge will be able to provide you with a sound and fair evaluation.
We have also created an addendum to the instruction our judges receive to give them more guidance as they critique your book.
We hope you will take advantage of the extended deadline and submit your book for evaluation. As always, you will receive written feedback in a timely manner and the Spartan Award winners will be recognized in the spring.
Please follow this link to access information about critiques and the critique entry form, which is completed online. After completing your entry form, please postmark your yearbook to us by the critique contest deadline.
Feel free to contact me or MIPA Director Jeremy Steele if you have any questions.