Message from EWA's Director

Recognition for a job well done is not always easy to find, especially in today’s challenging media climate.  While high-quality education coverage is its own reward, hard-working journalists still need an occasional pat on the back. So you’ll be glad to hear that EWA’s annual reporting contest is now open for entries. We’ve revamped the categories for the contest, known as the National Awards for Education Reporting, and increased the value of winners’ prizes. Don’t sell yourself short: Check out the new contest categories and frequently asked questions, and then apply online today!

Caroline Hendrie

EWA Holds Boot Camp on Research and Data

Twenty journalists from newsrooms around the country gathered outside Chicago this month for an intensive training program on how to effectively incorporate education research and statistics into their work.
 
EWA’s seventh boot camp, held Dec. 2-5 at the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism with support from the Spencer Foundation, taught participants the hallmarks of reliable, and unreliable, research, as well as how to question scholarly findings.

Respected news veterans and college professors instructed the program’s fellows on how to work with databases, analyze data, and understand the strengths and weaknesses of data-based reporting.  Fellows received hands-on guidance on specific data-based stories, including those using EWA's website on economic stimulus spending.

Check out the list of fellows who took part, and watch for their stories to be published in the coming months. 

Connect With EWA's Public Editor