The pandemic’s impact on housing – driving rental prices up
dramatically, and threatening millions of Americans with eviction
– have had a surprising and under-covered impact on higher
education.
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.
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.
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.
Legislation banning the teaching of “critical race theory” in
schools and colleges is being advanced in statehouses all over
the country. Lawmakers sponsoring these policies claim that such
teaching is divisive, racist, and psychologically distressing.
Opponents say that this is a manufactured misinformation campaign
intended to chill teacher speech and limit educators’ ability to
teach about race and racism.
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.
What’s the “value” of a college education? As college costs rise,
more people are questioning what they’re getting for their
tuition and tax money.
Reporters investigating this important topic can access a growing
number of databases that are starting to capture at least some
aspects of value, according to Dominique Baker, an education
policy professor at Southern Methodist University, and Robert
Kelchen, a professor at Seton Hall University and data manager
for the Washington Monthly College Rankings.
Professional journalists who turned their beat coverage of higher
education into books shared their experiences during a May 4
session at the Education Writers Association’s 2021 National
Seminar.
Learn about the different ways they found literary agents, and
how they approached their writing, publishing and promotion
journeys.
Data on how quickly people pay back their student loans, and how
much alumni earn are among the most commonly cited
indicators of the economic value of higher education.
So where do you find that important, and news-making data?
Check out the College Scorecard. The
U.S. Department of Education provides free in-depth data on five
areas: cost, graduation rate, employment rate, average amount
borrowed and loan default rate.
If you’re on the higher education beat, your readers are hungry
for news and information about student loans and whether a
particular college or major paid off in the form of a good job.
Luckily, the U.S. Department of Education has started providing
free in-depth data on student debt levels and alumni
earnings on its College Scorecard.
How is the Housing Crisis Affecting College Students and Faculty? 5 Things to Consider.
Resources to help reporters cover housing and education issues during the pandemic
The pandemic’s impact on housing – driving rental prices up dramatically, and threatening millions of Americans with eviction – have had a surprising and under-covered impact on higher education.
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.
This story was updated on Sept. 23, 2021.
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.
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.
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.
Critical Race Theory 101: Essential Context for Education Reporters
Legislation banning the teaching of “critical race theory” in schools and colleges is being advanced in statehouses all over the country. Lawmakers sponsoring these policies claim that such teaching is divisive, racist, and psychologically distressing. Opponents say that this is a manufactured misinformation campaign intended to chill teacher speech and limit educators’ ability to teach about race and racism.
‘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.
Tips for Scrutinizing Data on College Value
Are college students getting the best education for their (and taxpayers’) money?
What’s the “value” of a college education? As college costs rise, more people are questioning what they’re getting for their tuition and tax money.
Reporters investigating this important topic can access a growing number of databases that are starting to capture at least some aspects of value, according to Dominique Baker, an education policy professor at Southern Methodist University, and Robert Kelchen, a professor at Seton Hall University and data manager for the Washington Monthly College Rankings.
How to Turn Higher Education Coverage into Published Books
Professional journalists who turned their beat coverage of higher education into books shared their experiences during a May 4 session at the Education Writers Association’s 2021 National Seminar.
Learn about the different ways they found literary agents, and how they approached their writing, publishing and promotion journeys.
The participants were:
Video Tutorial: Downloading and Using College Scorecard Data
Analyze alumni earnings, student debt and other college data.
Data on how quickly people pay back their student loans, and how much alumni earn are among the most commonly cited indicators of the economic value of higher education.
So where do you find that important, and news-making data?
Check out the College Scorecard. The U.S. Department of Education provides free in-depth data on five areas: cost, graduation rate, employment rate, average amount borrowed and loan default rate.
Video Tutorial: How to Use the College Scorecard Tool
Find college data on student loans, alumni earnings and more.
If you’re on the higher education beat, your readers are hungry for news and information about student loans and whether a particular college or major paid off in the form of a good job.
Luckily, the U.S. Department of Education has started providing free in-depth data on student debt levels and alumni earnings on its College Scorecard.