2008 Education Research and Statistics Bootcamp

The fourth annual Education Research and Statistics Bootcamp for Journalists took place March 13-16 at the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication in Los Angeles.

Reporters weretrained to recognize good research and learned skills in either Excel, Access or SPSS while developing a data-based story and the assistance of a mentor with skills in data-based journalism. Eighteen reporters participated in this year's bootcamp.

If you are interested in applying to next year's bootcamp download the entry form to apply.

Read some of the great stories coming out of this year's bootcamp.

Sharon Noguchi and Ken McLaughlinof the San Jose MercuryNews published their series about the achievement gap among ethnic groups. In addition to stories, the education team created a database to help students and families in a five county area learn about the academic difference between ethnic groups.

Betsy Hammond and Lisa Grace Lednicer of the Oregonian published their "Small-School Experiment" project. The duo finds despite being flush with cash Oregon’s high school academies have not delivered on their promise to reform public education.

Mandy Zatynski of the California Desert Sun published her school suspensionseries and finds classroom disruption is the leading cause for student dismissal in her district.

Nanette Asimov of the San Francisco Chronicle used what she learned from the bootcamp to write two data driven stories. Asimov examined the lack of an educational plan in California for students diagnosed with autism. In another story, Asimov analyzed state records to see the expulsion rates of students from California schools. She found an undercurrent of trouble happening at schools withstudents harming students, intimidating peers, packing weapons and even making terror threats.

Letitia Stein of the St. Petersburg Times examines the issue of merit pay for teachers and who is more likely to receive bonuses.