Newspaper mistake creates controversy

An editing error in an article in Saturday’s Augusta Chronicle has resulted in undeserved criticism of Dr. Lauren Williams, associate superintendent of student learning for Columbia County Schools.  An article about AYP results incorrectly attributed a statement to Dr. Williams. A school system news release was the source of the information stating that North Harlem Elementary and Evans High schools did not meet adequate yearly progress because black pupils did not meet federal standards for math. A correction was published on page 2A of today's newspaper. The online version of the article also includes the correction, as well as a link to the news release on the school system’s web site so readers can view the AYP summary themselves.

http://chronicle.augusta.com/stories/072608/met_467175.shtml

Here is the text from the press release

“North Harlem Elementary and Evans High Schools did not make AYP in the Black Sub-Group in Mathematics. Harlem High School did not make AYP in the areas of All Students and the Economically Disadvantaged Sub-Group. Additionally, the school system did not make AYP in the Black and Students with Disabilities Sub-Groups.”

Dr. Williams did not make a statement regarding “black pupils.”  Superintendent Charles Nagle told me today that because of what was published in the Chronicle, the school administration office has received phone calls criticizing Dr. Williams for racism – some even  demanding her dismissal.    I have called Dr. Williams to apologize for creating this public misperception.

So how did this error occur?  Every article that appears in the Chronicle passes through several editors. Here is a look at how the story changed, from the reporter’s original version through two rounds of editing. The final version is what we published.

1. Dr. Williams said the schools that fell short did so because particular subgroups did not meet federal standards. According to a statement from the school system, African American pupils at North Harlem and Evans did not meet math standards. At Harlem High, economically disadvantaged students and the overall student population did not make adequate yearly progress. The school system as a whole also did not make adequately yearly progress in the African American and students with disabilities subgroups.

2. Dr. Lauren Williams, Columbia County associate superintendent of student learning, said the schools that fell short in her county did so because particular subgroups did not meet federal standards. Black pupils at North Harlem and Evans did not meet standards for math. At Harlem High, economically disadvantaged students and the overall student population did not make adequate yearly progress. The school system as a whole also did not make adequately yearly progress in the black and students with disabilities subgroups.

3. Dr. Lauren Williams, the Columbia County associate superintendent of student learning, said North Harlem Elementary and Evans High schools fell short because black pupils did not meet federal standards for math.  At Harlem High, economically disadvantaged students and the overall student population did not make adequate yearly progress. The school system as a whole also did not make adequately yearly progress among black students and those  with disabilities. 

In accordance with Associated Press style, the Chronicle does not use the phrase “African American” unless it is part of a direct quote or organization title. The terminology used in the federal No Child Left Behind standards is “Black subgroups.” Other editing changes were made to condense the content (we try to be efficient with our available space) and for clarity’s sake.

It is the Chronicle’s policy to promptly correct errors that appear in the newspaper and on our web site. The full policy is below.  We regret the controversy this error has caused for Dr. Williams and the Columbia County school system.  

28. Corrections

When errors occur, the newspaper has an ethical obligation to correct the record and minimize harm.

Errors should be corrected promptly. But first, a determination must be made that the fact indeed was in error and that the correction itself is fully accurate.

When an error has been made, it shall be acknowledged in a straightforward correction, not disguised or glossed over in a follow-up story. Print corrections and clarifications shall appear on Page 2A under the heading CORRECTIONS.

On our Web site, posted content will be changed to make a correction as soon as possible once we learn a mistake has been made. A note will be added to the top of the content explaining that the originally-posted version contained an error and that we have corrected it.  We will include the date when the correction was made, and will highlight the corrected text within the article. 

If the story is online only, the same correction procedure (a note at the top) will apply.

We will not post correction notes for online changes made to correct typos, grammatical errors, etc. – only for errors of fact. 

If it is a serious error that appeared in a breaking news alert that was e-mailed, we will re-email the corrected story to breaking-news subscribers.

Newsroom staffers should be receptive to complaints about inaccuracies and follow up on them. Newsroom staffers have a responsibility to alert the appropriate editor when they become aware of a possible error in the newspaper.

Errors should be corrected whether or not they are called to the attention of the

newspaper by someone outside the newsroom.

Factual errors should be corrected in most cases even if the subject of the error does not want it to be corrected. It is the newspaper's duty to provide accurate information to readers. An exception may be made—at the behest of the subject—when the correction of a relatively minor mistake would result in public ridicule or greater harm than the original error.

When possible, the reporter, photographer or editor who made the error should write the correction.

Although it is wise to avoid repeating the error in the correction, the correction should have sufficient context that readers will understand exactly what is being corrected.

Corrections must be approved by the managing or executive editor. The note should include an explanation of how the error occurred.