Evaluations

Media Evaluations

A Yearly Evaluation Service

FSPA provides a yearly evaluation service for scholastic media programs, including Broadcast, Podcast, Literary Magazines, Newspapers/Newsmagazines, Online Media, and Yearbook. The focus of the evaluation service is to provide feedback that will enable students to consistently improve their programs.

The evaluations are done by proven successful publication advisers from other states’ press associations, professional journalists and journalism faculty members. Programs will receive written feedback, providing specific comments on strengths and weaknesses of their programs. Programs also receive a ranking, with the the top of the scale being All-Florida. In addition, the best of the best All-Florida programs are recognized as Sunshine Standouts at the state convention.

Broadcast

Registration Closes October 14, 2026
Broadcast programs will submit three shows throughout the year and receive individual feedback on each show. Each evaluation will be received prior to the next show being due, so feedback can be used to improve the show throughout the year. Your overall evaluation score will be based on an average of the three evaluations.

Literary Magazines

Registration Opens April 2027
Literary Magazines will be submitted at the end of the school year and advisers will receive the evaluation over the summer so their staff can use the feedback to start planning the new year’s publication.

Newspaper / Newsmagazine

Registration Closes October 14, 2026
Advisers will submit 2-3 Newspapers/Newsmagazine editions throughout the year and receive individual feedback on each publication. Each evaluation will be received prior to the next submission being due, so feedback can be used to improve the program throughout the year. Your overall evaluation score will be based on an average of the three evaluations.

Online Media

Registration Closes October 14, 2026
Advisers will register at the beginning of the school year, and the website will be evaluated three times throughout the year. Each evaluation will be received prior to the next evaluation period, so feedback can be used to improve the website. Your overall evaluation score will be based on an average of the three evaluations.

Podcast

Registration Closes October 14, 2026
Programs will submit three podcast episodes throughout the year and receive individual feedback on each show. Each evaluation will be received prior to the next show being due, so feedback can be used to improve the show throughout the year. We will be evaluating audio podcasts only. Your overall evaluation score will be based on an average of the three evaluations.

Social Media

Registration Closes October 14, 2026
Advisers will register at the beginning of the school year, and the social media accounts (i.e. Instagram, TikTok - NOT SHOWS) will be evaluated three times throughout the year. Each evaluation will be received prior to the next evaluation period, so feedback can be used to improve the sites. Your overall evaluation score will be based on an average of the three evaluations.

Yearbook

Registration Opens April 2027
Yearbooks will be submitted at the end of the school year after the book has been received. Advisers will receive the evaluation over the summer so their staff can use the feedback to start planning the new year’s publication.

Additional Resources

Want to see what evaluators are looking for? Check out past All- Florida honorees or download a blank evaluation guide for use in the classroom.

All-Florida Honorees

Evaluation Guide