J-Ideas, a national First Amendment institute housed in the Ball State University journalism department, is hosting a seminar Feb. 26 at the Freedom Museum in Chicago for representatives from area schools.

The seminar, "Scholastic Partnership for the First Amendment," is being funded by a grant from the McCormick Tribune Foundation.

J-Ideas director Warren Watson and assistant director Angela Thomas are leading the seminars. Other speakers include:

• Sam Chaltain, executive director, Five Freedoms Project
  
• Linda Puntney, executive director, Journalism Education Association
  
• Randy Swikle, retired journalism adviser and former Dow Jones journalism teacher of the year.

Groups in attendance will discuss case studies and develop action plans to continue First Amendment education within schools.

J-Ideas was founded at Ball State to foster First Amendment and civic awareness by developing and encouraging excellence in high school journalism through activities and programs. For more information, visit www.jideas.org.

By Jennifer Strempka