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Contest Categories

The Education Writers Association National Awards in Education Reporting honor exceptional work that adds to the understanding of education. Entries will be judged on criteria that include the quality of writing, clarity and insight, innovative presentation and explanation of issues.

I. News Media Under 100,000 Circulation (Print and Online, but not Trade)

  1. Breaking or Hard News: Up to 10 articles on the same subject written under the pressure of a deadline.
  2. Feature, News Feature or Issue Package: One or more pieces of human interest or a news issue not written on deadline on a single topic run on a single day.
  3. Series or Group of Articles: Up to 10 articles on the same general theme but not written under the pressure of a deadline.
  4. Investigative Reporting: Up to 10 articles on the same subject, demonstrating a reporter's ingenuity in uncovering a problem or condition that otherwise may not have come to public attention.
  5. Opinion: A single signed or unsigned editorial or column expressing the opinion of the author and/or the newspaper, or a series of up to 10 editorials or columns on the same general theme.

II. News Media Over 100,000 Circulation (Print and Online, but not Trade)

  1. Breaking or Hard News: Up to 10 articles on the same subject written under the pressure of a deadline.
  2. Feature, News Feature or Issue Package: One or more pieces of human interest or a news issue not written on deadline on a single topic run on a single day.
  3. Series or Group of Articles: Up to 10 articles on the same general theme but not written under the pressure of a deadline.
  4. Investigative Reporting: Up to 10 articles on the same subject, demonstrating a reporter's ingenuity in uncovering a problem or condition that otherwise may not have come to public attention.
  5. Opinion: A single signed or unsigned editorial column expressing the opinion of the author and/or the newspaper, or a series of up to 10 editorials or columns on the same general theme.

III. Multimedia (Online reports, Education blogs)

  1. Multi-media entries: reports or packages that focus on a single topic not simply online versions of print, television or radio stories. The entry must include at least three of the following: photos, audio, video, graphics, interactive features such as searchable databases, chats, quizzes, polls, etc. Up to 10urls may be submitted. All submissions to this category must be kept online for one year after the announcement of contest winners.
  2. Blogs: Up to 10 blog items with urls on education coverage relating to pre-K to college topics, education policy, teachers, higher education, school finance or other education issues or news may be submitted. This is not a category for educational blogs that simply educate readers on a particular subject. Urls must be submitted for each item, all entries must show strong interactivity between audiences andstats of readership in the past year are required.

IV. Beat Reporting (Open to Newspaper, Online, Multimedia, Magazine, Television, Radio, Trade)

  1. Small Media or Market (under 100,000 circulation or small broadcast/21+ markets) -- Up to six pieces, covering the year, showing beat reporting and must include breaking news, writing about policy and classrooms, features, in-depth reporting, data and other analysis. Entries will be judged as a package and for overall excellence. Awards will not be given on the strength of one part of the entry alone.
  2. Large Media or Market (over 100,000 circulation or network broadcast/top 20 markets) -- Up to six pieces, covering the year, showing beat reporting and must include breaking news, writing about policy and classrooms, features, in-depth reporting, data and other analysis. Entries will be judged as a package and for overall excellence. Awards will not be given on the strength of one part of the entry alone.

V. Magazines (Including Alumni Magazines)

Up to three articles (in a series) on a single subject/theme in a magazine. Entries may have national, regional or local circulation and may include college alumni magazines. See item 13 for more information on how to apply for this category.

VI. Special Interest, Institutional and Trade Publications

Up to three articles (in a series) on a single subject or theme.

VII. Television

  1. Hard News and Investigative: Spot coverage, news reporting, investigation, interpretation and commentary on news events on a single topic/theme, not exceeding 60 minutes total viewing time.
  2. Documentary and Feature: In-depth examination of a single subject/theme of local, regional or national importance, not tied to any current news event. Not exceeding 60 minutes total viewing time. Please note the focus should be about education, students, teachers or schools and colleges. Educational documentaries do not qualify for consideration.

VIII. Radio or Podcasts 

Single program or series of reports on the same subject/theme, not exceeding 60 minutes total listening time.