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.
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.
For Madisyn Slater, a senior at Blake High School in Tampa, Florida, there was little question that popular biology teacher Tiffany Johnson crossed the line with students. Slater’s decision to report Johnson’s sexual comments and other inappropriate behavior led to the student – not the teacher — facing a school district investigation.
The Tulsa Race Massacre’s centennial has recently drawn headlines nationwide, but most Americans – including many educated in Oklahoma public schools – never previously learned about the tragic episode.
For education reporters writing about the impact of COVID-19 on
school communities, it makes sense to pay close attention to the
experiences of teachers, students, and families. But the
principal often sets the tone for the school community, and helps
shape and influence the campus climate in important ways.
During the pandemic, principals had to reimagine how schools
operate, deliver instruction, serve students, and provide key
programs and services.
While only 3 percent of the nation’s undergraduates attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), they produce almost 20 percent of the nation’s Black college graduates.
Long before the COVID-19 shutdown forced schools to launch remote
learning, the nonprofit Challenge Success tracked student
wellness, using the findings to encourage schools and families to
rethink what constitutes “success” for students.
As both municipal and higher education leaders tried to fend of COVID-19, the two camps sometimes found themselves at cross-purposes when it came to fiscal and public health challenges, reports Sara Hebel, co-founder of Open Campus.
The Biden administration’s ambitious
plan to expand access to free universal preschool, increase
the wages of child care providers to at least $15 an hour, and
make child care more affordable for families sent ripples of
optimism through the child care industry when unveiled this
spring.
BY HANNAH MCCLELLAN OF CHATHAM NEWS + RECORD FOR EWA
Summer learning programs are offered across the country each
year by school districts. But following the massive disruption of
education sparked by COVID-19, there’s more pressure — and
federal funding — to get it right, with meaningful and engaging
learning opportunities in the summer.
For decades, college campuses have served as vital spaces for
student activism, especially on issues of race. And, if anything,
campus activism on racial issues has been ramping up in
2021.
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.
Student Pays High Price for Reporting Teacher’s Misconduct
Tampa Bay Times investigation finds questionable actions by school officials in handling complaint, and raises concerns about loopholes for holding misbehaving teachers accountable (EWA Radio Episode 275)
For Madisyn Slater, a senior at Blake High School in Tampa, Florida, there was little question that popular biology teacher Tiffany Johnson crossed the line with students. Slater’s decision to report Johnson’s sexual comments and other inappropriate behavior led to the student – not the teacher — facing a school district investigation.
What Is Critical Race Theory?
As Oklahoma wrestles with 100th anniversary of Tulsa Race Massacre, critics and educators clash over how and what students are taught about race and society (EWA Radio Episode 271)
The Tulsa Race Massacre’s centennial has recently drawn headlines nationwide, but most Americans – including many educated in Oklahoma public schools – never previously learned about the tragic episode.
5 Questions to Ask Educational Leadership Before Schools Reopen This Fall
Principals share lessons learned from leading schools through COVID-19 pandemic
For education reporters writing about the impact of COVID-19 on school communities, it makes sense to pay close attention to the experiences of teachers, students, and families. But the principal often sets the tone for the school community, and helps shape and influence the campus climate in important ways.
During the pandemic, principals had to reimagine how schools operate, deliver instruction, serve students, and provide key programs and services.
What You Need to Know About HBCUs
Historically Black Colleges and Universities getting fresh attention amid big-dollar donations, but more than money is needed to help them thrive, experts say (EWA Radio Episode 274)
While only 3 percent of the nation’s undergraduates attend Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), they produce almost 20 percent of the nation’s Black college graduates.
‘Don’t Go Back to the Old Normal’: Opportunities for Adolescent Learning Revealed by COVID-19
COVID-19’s effects on childhood brain development and those up to age 25 provides some new insights.
Long before the COVID-19 shutdown forced schools to launch remote learning, the nonprofit Challenge Success tracked student wellness, using the findings to encourage schools and families to rethink what constitutes “success” for students.
Rethinking ‘Town & Gown’
How the pandemic is reshaping long-standing relationships among higher ed and local communities (EWA Radio Episode 273)
As both municipal and higher education leaders tried to fend of COVID-19, the two camps sometimes found themselves at cross-purposes when it came to fiscal and public health challenges, reports Sara Hebel, co-founder of Open Campus.
4 Tips for Covering the Recovery of the Child Care Industry
Mindful approaches to reporting on early education and child care
The Biden administration’s ambitious plan to expand access to free universal preschool, increase the wages of child care providers to at least $15 an hour, and make child care more affordable for families sent ripples of optimism through the child care industry when unveiled this spring.
How Will School Districts Leverage Stimulus Money for Summer Learning?
Here's why reporters should follow summer school plans in 2021 and post COVID-19.
Summer learning programs are offered across the country each year by school districts. But following the massive disruption of education sparked by COVID-19, there’s more pressure — and federal funding — to get it right, with meaningful and engaging learning opportunities in the summer.
‘We Are Not a Monolith:’ How to Better Cover Race on Campus
Questions to ask about student activism, racism and racial injustice at colleges
For decades, college campuses have served as vital spaces for student activism, especially on issues of race. And, if anything, campus activism on racial issues has been ramping up in 2021.