EWA's blog about education issues and topics from a journalist's perspective. The Educated Reporter is anchored by Emily Richmond with contributions from EWA staff and guests.
EWA’s blog about education issues and topics from a journalist’s
perspective. The Educated Reporter is anchored by Emily Richmond with contributions
from EWA staff and guests.
Writing for The New York Times Magazine, veteran education journalist Casey Parks takes readers deep inside the struggles of a rural school district in the Mississippi delta that is poised for a state takeover. She also profiles Harvey Ellington, a 16-year-old Black student with big college dreams but few opportunities for advanced learning in his cash-strapped and understaffed high school.
Division over COVID-19 and racial justice is playing out in
school board meetings across the country, turning typically
sleepy gatherings into
politicized and, at times, volatile events.
When meetings turn contentious, reporters need to take care to
avoid amplifying misinformation, and provide context on key
issues and the board’s authority.
After a more than 40-year-old graduate-level, academic research
framework became the center of a national culture war that began
last year, misinformation and disinformation infiltrated the
public sphere, and internet searches increased.
In 2019, Nexis listed a total of 635 news articles
mentioning “critical race theory.” Today, the phrase is cited in
more than 5,000 pieces a month. And the vast majority of
those stories focus on how history and race are taught in
schools.
For many of us who remember Sept. 11, it’s difficult to process
that two full decades have passed since the terrorist attacks in
New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. Some of those
moments remain so clear – and so painful – that the wounds
feel fresh.
Enrollment in K-12 schools, which
plunged by 1.5 million students during the first wave of
COVID-19, appeared poised to bounce back this fall. But then, the
delta variant of COVID-19 raced across the nation, and
school districts confronted the possibility of further shutdowns
and lost students.
By Kathryn Palmer of the Arizona Daily Star for EWA
As students and higher learning institutions prepare for the fall
semester, lagging vaccination rates and the rise of the delta
variant present unanticipated challenges.
For reporters looking to tell stories about how the ongoing
public health crisis is affecting higher education access,
enrollment numbers are a good place to start.
The fast-spreading COVID-19 Delta variant is forcing rapid
changes in colleges’ vaccination plans and requirements. And
these changes are encountering backlash from state legislatures
and students as they roll out.
Reporters covering the vaccine and its usage among students,
faculty and staff at colleges need to provide context on how
policies comport with state laws or preemptions, how students and
local communities are affected by these decisions, and how to
track vaccine mandates’ rollout and potential outbreaks.
Science journalist and author Lydia Denworth posed that question
to a pair of experts on adolescent development during the
Education Writers Association’s 2021 National Seminar.
“Sleep!,” speakers Adriana Galván of UCLA and Denise Pope of
Stanford University both said at a panel. Adolescents, they
agreed, don’t get enough of it.
BY SCOTT TRAVIS OF THE SOUTH FLORIDA SUN SENTINEL FOR EWA
When a school district wants to hide corruption, mismanagement
and misspending, it will do what it can to make a reporter’s job
difficult.
As the education reporter covering Broward County Public Schools
in Florida – a district plagued by a school massacre, an $800
million construction bond boondoggle and the arrest and
resignation of its superintendent – my beat has been
difficult.
BY KRISTA JOHNSON OF THE MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER FOR EWA
Despite the many hardships the pandemic caused, the COVID-19
disruption also sparked – or in some cases accelerated – changes
to K-12 and higher education that leaders say should stick.
The speakers pointed to the power of flexibility, the need
to focus energy and resources that will serve the “whole
student,” and how increased outreach and new communication
strategies with students and families could be
transformative during a plenary at the Education Writers
Association’s 2021 National Seminar.
When it comes to writing news stories about efforts to help
low-income students earn a college degree, journalists may be
tempted to focus on “promise” programs that provide free tuition
and, occasionally, intense academic counseling.
How Rural Schools Get Left Behind
Journalist Casey Parks shares insights on culturally competent reporting, building trust with sources, and why more reporters should pay attention to rural education. (EWA Radio Episode 277)
Writing for The New York Times Magazine, veteran education journalist Casey Parks takes readers deep inside the struggles of a rural school district in the Mississippi delta that is poised for a state takeover. She also profiles Harvey Ellington, a 16-year-old Black student with big college dreams but few opportunities for advanced learning in his cash-strapped and understaffed high school.
Covering School Board Meetings? Tips to Tackle the COVID-19, Critical Race Theory Culture Wars
Attending hyper politicized school board meetings in this day and age requires much preparation.
Division over COVID-19 and racial justice is playing out in school board meetings across the country, turning typically sleepy gatherings into politicized and, at times, volatile events.
When meetings turn contentious, reporters need to take care to avoid amplifying misinformation, and provide context on key issues and the board’s authority.
Covering Critical Race Theory: Resources and Tips to Debunk Misinformation
How reporters can arm themselves with knowledge to prevent the spread of intentional and unintentional incorrect information.
After a more than 40-year-old graduate-level, academic research framework became the center of a national culture war that began last year, misinformation and disinformation infiltrated the public sphere, and internet searches increased.
In 2019, Nexis listed a total of 635 news articles mentioning “critical race theory.” Today, the phrase is cited in more than 5,000 pieces a month. And the vast majority of those stories focus on how history and race are taught in schools.
How Teaching 9/11 Is Changing
For many of us who remember Sept. 11, it’s difficult to process that two full decades have passed since the terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania, and Washington, D.C. Some of those moments remain so clear – and so painful – that the wounds feel fresh.
All Eyes on Enrollment as K-12 Students Return to School
Pandemic-driven shifts may have lasting repercussions.
Enrollment in K-12 schools, which plunged by 1.5 million students during the first wave of COVID-19, appeared poised to bounce back this fall. But then, the delta variant of COVID-19 raced across the nation, and school districts confronted the possibility of further shutdowns and lost students.
Home Ec’s ‘Secret History’
New book explores how home economics influenced American life and public education beyond 'stitching and stirring' (EWA Radio Episode 276)
Often overlooked and misunderstood, home economics is about far more than learning to bake cakes or sew lopsided oven mitts, argues education journalist Danielle Dreilinger. She discusses her new book, “The Secret History of Home Economics: How Trailblazing Women Harnessed the Power of Home and Changed the Way We Live.”
8 Questions to Ask About College Enrollment Numbers
COVID-19 sparked enrollment declines at universities, especially among low-income students.
As students and higher learning institutions prepare for the fall semester, lagging vaccination rates and the rise of the delta variant present unanticipated challenges.
For reporters looking to tell stories about how the ongoing public health crisis is affecting higher education access, enrollment numbers are a good place to start.
How to Cover COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates and Bans at Colleges
Learn about the key players, find data, get story ideas and more.
The fast-spreading COVID-19 Delta variant is forcing rapid changes in colleges’ vaccination plans and requirements. And these changes are encountering backlash from state legislatures and students as they roll out.
Reporters covering the vaccine and its usage among students, faculty and staff at colleges need to provide context on how policies comport with state laws or preemptions, how students and local communities are affected by these decisions, and how to track vaccine mandates’ rollout and potential outbreaks.
Lack of Sleep Affecting Adolescent Learning? Coverage Tips for Early School Start Times
Get background, story ideas and advice.
“What’s keeping you up at night?”
Science journalist and author Lydia Denworth posed that question to a pair of experts on adolescent development during the Education Writers Association’s 2021 National Seminar.
“Sleep!,” speakers Adriana Galván of UCLA and Denise Pope of Stanford University both said at a panel. Adolescents, they agreed, don’t get enough of it.
Pulitzer Prize Winner: How to Cover Stonewalling or Antagonistic School Boards and Leaders
South Florida Sun Sentinel’s Scott Travis provides tips on ways to get beyond “No Comment.”
When a school district wants to hide corruption, mismanagement and misspending, it will do what it can to make a reporter’s job difficult.
As the education reporter covering Broward County Public Schools in Florida – a district plagued by a school massacre, an $800 million construction bond boondoggle and the arrest and resignation of its superintendent – my beat has been difficult.
With Schools Reopening Full-Time, What Pandemic-Driven Changes Will Last?
Get 7 story ideas to help you cover K-12 and higher education shifts that may have staying power.
Despite the many hardships the pandemic caused, the COVID-19 disruption also sparked – or in some cases accelerated – changes to K-12 and higher education that leaders say should stick.
The speakers pointed to the power of flexibility, the need to focus energy and resources that will serve the “whole student,” and how increased outreach and new communication strategies with students and families could be transformative during a plenary at the Education Writers Association’s 2021 National Seminar.
Free College Tuition Isn’t Enough: Fresh Story Ideas on the Dropout Crisis
What education reporters need to know about social service programs that can help close the completion gap
When it comes to writing news stories about efforts to help low-income students earn a college degree, journalists may be tempted to focus on “promise” programs that provide free tuition and, occasionally, intense academic counseling.