The “Varsity Blues” scandal involved a small group
of wealthy families using bribes and other tactics to gain
admissions to selective colleges. But it also illuminated
broader admissions problems – particularly those involving income
disparities – that should be examined by education reporters,
according to experts who spoke at the 2019 Education Writers
Association seminar in Baltimore.
Journalists who want to better cover the reality of the racial
environment on college campuses should broaden their focus beyond
protests against Confederate statues or controversies over
yearbook pictures, advised a group of researchers, educators and
veteran journalists gathered at the Education Writers
Association’s 2019 National Seminar in Baltimore.
When covering race issues, journalists can get things things very
right, or very wrong. From their story choices, to the context
they add and the words they use, opportunities — and risks —
abound. That’s especially true for reporters covering schools and
colleges, which have been ground zero for some of the most
important racial incidents and news stories of the recent past.
By Patrick O'Donnell of the Cleveland Plain Dealer for EWA
Journalists looking for new angles on the click-grabbing topic of
student loans should consider digging into legal and political
battles over who answers the phones when borrowers call
with questions, and how the bills are collected, experts told
reporters at recent Education Writers Association event in
Washington, D.C.
Millions of Americans could be affected by ongoing
inside-the-beltway debates over the exact definitions
of wonky terms such as ”credit hour” or “gainful
employment,” according to two veteran Washington policy
insiders.
By Delece Smith-Barrow of the Hechinger Report for EWA
The 2018 midterm “blue wave” that split party control of the U.S.
Congress and narrowed the Republican edge among governors to
27-23 will likely mean political battles over several higher
education issues.
The details of bribery and fraud involving some of the
nation’s most elite colleges unveiled in the
“Operation Varsity Blues” admissions scandal are
jaw-dropping. But the underlying premise — that wealth can buy
entry to prestigious universities – has been a
subject of many journalistic investigations over recent decades.
America’s declining
birth rate has sweeping implications for the U.S. economy and
society – especially its education system. Already,
a decline in the number of 18-year-olds is forcing many
colleges to take actions that journalists should cover, such as:
changing recruiting practices, cutting costs, and, in some
cases, going out of business, according to a panel of college
officials, researchers and journalists speaking at a recent
Education Writers Association seminar.
Reporters looking for data and background on college campus hate
crimes have limited and less-than-ideal options, says Dan Bauman,
a data reporter for The Chronicle of Higher Education.
Hate crimes on university campuses have spiked since 2015. The
U.S. Department of Education reported a 25 percent jump in 2016.
A recent
FBI report said the bureau’s count of hate crime reports at
schools or colleges jumped 36 percent in 2017.
Some of the nation’s most influential education policymakers and
legislators will address more than 30 journalists at a Jan. 28-29
Education Writers Association seminar
examining the impact of the 2018 elections on higher education.
Covering How ‘Varsity Blues’ Affects College Admissions
Experts suggest following up with investigations into large inequities and sports recruiting.
The “Varsity Blues” scandal involved a small group of wealthy families using bribes and other tactics to gain admissions to selective colleges. But it also illuminated broader admissions problems – particularly those involving income disparities – that should be examined by education reporters, according to experts who spoke at the 2019 Education Writers Association seminar in Baltimore.
Six Story Ideas for Covering Race on Campus
College student body diversity, recruiting practices and history
Journalists who want to better cover the reality of the racial environment on college campuses should broaden their focus beyond protests against Confederate statues or controversies over yearbook pictures, advised a group of researchers, educators and veteran journalists gathered at the Education Writers Association’s 2019 National Seminar in Baltimore.
Tips on Covering Race Issues Responsibly
Ask followup questions, add context and use the "R" word carefully.
When covering race issues, journalists can get things things very right, or very wrong. From their story choices, to the context they add and the words they use, opportunities — and risks — abound. That’s especially true for reporters covering schools and colleges, which have been ground zero for some of the most important racial incidents and news stories of the recent past.
Fresh Angles on Student Loan Stories: Phones and Bills
Lawsuits and "Next Generation" reforms are likely to generate headlines.
Journalists looking for new angles on the click-grabbing topic of student loans should consider digging into legal and political battles over who answers the phones when borrowers call with questions, and how the bills are collected, experts told reporters at recent Education Writers Association event in Washington, D.C.
Is Your Community’s ‘Free College’ Program ‘Bait and Switch’?
By asking the five Ws, journalists can identify the fine print in College Promise programs.
“Free college” is an increasingly popular rallying cry for politicians. There are now more than 200 programs that seek to deliver on that promise around the country, and more being proposed nearly every month.
The Surprising Real-World Impacts of Edu-Jargon Debates
Washington's battles over the definitions of terms like "credit hour" could affect millions of college students.
Millions of Americans could be affected by ongoing inside-the-beltway debates over the exact definitions of wonky terms such as ”credit hour” or “gainful employment,” according to two veteran Washington policy insiders.
Elections Have Consequences for Higher Ed
The 2018 midterm “blue wave” that split party control of the U.S. Congress and narrowed the Republican edge among governors to 27-23 will likely mean political battles over several higher education issues.
Why Elite Colleges Have Always Been ‘Pay to Play’
The details of bribery and fraud involving some of the nation’s most elite colleges unveiled in the “Operation Varsity Blues” admissions scandal are jaw-dropping. But the underlying premise — that wealth can buy entry to prestigious universities – has been a subject of many journalistic investigations over recent decades.
Changing Demographics Mean Better College Odds for ‘Slugs’
A baby bust is forcing newsworthy changes to college admissions.
America’s declining birth rate has sweeping implications for the U.S. economy and society – especially its education system. Already, a decline in the number of 18-year-olds is forcing many colleges to take actions that journalists should cover, such as: changing recruiting practices, cutting costs, and, in some cases, going out of business, according to a panel of college officials, researchers and journalists speaking at a recent Education Writers Association seminar.
Where to Find College Hate Crime Data
Five organizations publish numbers and information on hate crimes.
Reporters looking for data and background on college campus hate crimes have limited and less-than-ideal options, says Dan Bauman, a data reporter for The Chronicle of Higher Education.
Three Rules for Covering Campus Hate Incidents
Get the legalities right, put the data in context, and do followup.
Hate crimes on university campuses have spiked since 2015. The U.S. Department of Education reported a 25 percent jump in 2016. A recent FBI report said the bureau’s count of hate crime reports at schools or colleges jumped 36 percent in 2017.
Education journalists to hear from top policymakers and legislators
Some of the nation’s most influential education policymakers and legislators will address more than 30 journalists at a Jan. 28-29 Education Writers Association seminar examining the impact of the 2018 elections on higher education.