To determine how extensive the phenomenon of printing high school newspapers on a page in the local professional paper is in Iowa, a preliminary study surveyed all Iowa high school principals and newspaper advisors in November 1987. The survey contained ten questions concerning school and school newspaper characteristics. Findings showed that the average Iowa high school is rural, public, has four grades (9-12) and between 100 and 300 students, publishes a weekly student newspaper on broadsheet paper, prints one or two pages per issue, distributes it in the local newspaper, and has a circulation from 1,000-5,000. This study will be followed by a second study to examine in greater detail the relationships that exist between high school journalism programs and local editors and/or publishers. (Sixteen tables of data are included, and three tables of data, a copy of the survey cover letter and survey, and nine references are appended.) (MM)