They also imply teacher autonomy in the decisions made for the classroom. The ideal programs might have a video or print product for evaluation, but the culminating experience is not a standardized test. Judgment on a project's merit is best done by the student, or by a committee of teachers. And the community is a partner. Student projects are seen in a broader forum and the community gives students feedback about their work.
Businesses donate money, equipment and mentors.
In the United States, media education has a long way to go, but there's hope on the horizon. Over the years, we've seen other media education efforts fall apart. The critical viewing curriculum in the '70s and the computer literacy push in the '80s are two cases in point. But media education is inevitable. It's happening at the grassroots level and teachers are beginning to find each other to create the critical mass we need to push it forward.