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.
By Eric Stirgus of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for EWA
It is one of the thorniest topics in education: What criteria
should be used to fairly determine which students are admitted to
America’s “elite” public schools, colleges and
universities?
Many top schools have faced criticism in recent decades for not
reflecting the nation’s racial and socioeconomic diversity.
The impact of reporter Ian Shapira’s deep dive into the troubled culture at the nation’s oldest state-support military college was seismic: within days, the Virginia Military Institute’s leader had resigned, and Gov. Ralph Northam pledged an independent investigation.
The impact of America’s $1.5 trillion in student loan debt makes a lot of headlines. But one team of reporters dug into a little-known corner of the student debt market and discovered a pattern of rule-evading and abuses that is destroying the educational opportunities and careers of tens of thousands of Americans.
COVID-19 is remaking the college landscape, especially when it comes to who’s pursuing – and who’s pausing – on higher education. New data shows the decline in enrollment is seven times as large for men as for women.
By Francie Diep of The Chronicle of Higher Education for EWA
The COVID-19 pandemic “is the most significant crisis (higher
education) has faced, even going back to the late ‘60s, early
‘70s, and the Vietnam War protests,” said Carlos Santiago, the
Massachusetts commissioner of higher education and a 40-year
veteran of the sector.
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.
Are ‘Merit’-based Education Admissions Practices Racist?
Experts outline problems with - and efforts to improve - use of SAT scores, affirmative action, school lotteries.
It is one of the thorniest topics in education: What criteria should be used to fairly determine which students are admitted to America’s “elite” public schools, colleges and universities?
Many top schools have faced criticism in recent decades for not reflecting the nation’s racial and socioeconomic diversity.
Racism at VMI
The Washington Post’s Ian Shapira shares backstory to his prize-winning investigation of racist policies and practices at Virginia Military Institute
(EWA Radio Episode 270)
The impact of reporter Ian Shapira’s deep dive into the troubled culture at the nation’s oldest state-support military college was seismic: within days, the Virginia Military Institute’s leader had resigned, and Gov. Ralph Northam pledged an independent investigation.
The Billions of Dollars in Hidden Student Loan Debt
Students who fall behind on their loans to their for-profit colleges find themselves unable to move forward with their careers until the debt is paid off
(EWA Radio Episode 266)
The impact of America’s $1.5 trillion in student loan debt makes a lot of headlines. But one team of reporters dug into a little-known corner of the student debt market and discovered a pattern of rule-evading and abuses that is destroying the educational opportunities and careers of tens of thousands of Americans.
Why More Men Are Missing Out on College
The decline in student enrollment during the coronavirus pandemic is seven times as steep for men as women, raising questions about the long-term impact on individuals and communities (EWA Radio Episode 261)
COVID-19 is remaking the college landscape, especially when it comes to who’s pursuing – and who’s pausing – on higher education. New data shows the decline in enrollment is seven times as large for men as for women.
How COVID-19 Is Crushing Colleges’ Budgets
Experts offer story ideas on inequities, budget squeezes and college closures.
The COVID-19 pandemic “is the most significant crisis (higher education) has faced, even going back to the late ‘60s, early ‘70s, and the Vietnam War protests,” said Carlos Santiago, the Massachusetts commissioner of higher education and a 40-year veteran of the sector.