2013 Single-Topic News or Feature for Print/Online (Medium Staff) Third Prize: Dave Breitenstein

Judges’ Comments

“Dave Breitenstein’s thoroughly reported story on Asian schools did an excellent job connecting what he found in Asian schools with the failings of American education. Two elements of his take — that parental involvement is key and that higher education institutions, in particular, should be worried, were well-executed and went beyond the typical ‘America is failing’ line. The mini-portraits of various schools and the videos and photos rounded out this package.”

“The series starts with an authoritative assessment of Asian educational success that is clearly based on ambitious reporting. Dave Breitenstein then establishes the importance of his topic for the future of the U.S. economy, and delivers a panorama of the educational competition he saw on his trip abroad.”