EWA Radio
Overview
EWA Radio
Your guide to what's hot on the education reporting beat.
Each week, EWA’s public editor, Emily Richmond, hosts engaging interviews with journalists about education and its coverage in the media.
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©2018 Education Writers Association
“Mother Will Call” by PK Jazz Collective used under terms of the CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.
When Artists Visit a Low-Income School to Teach Theater and Music
EWA Radio: Episode 37
Over the summer The Staten Island Advance published a three-part series about an arts residency program that tasked professional artists to teach elementary school students to teach them theater and music – arts instruction that otherwise didn’t exist at PS 57, a largely low-income school in the New York borough. Reporter Lauren Steussy followed the kids, teachers and parents of the school as they took in the sights and sounds of a campus suddenly abuzz with the stomps and squeaks of performing arts.
Washington Monthly’s 2015 College Rankings
EWA Radio: Episode 36
The Washington Monthly’s new college rankings are out, and this year’s top performers are an eclectic mix of publicly funded institutions, innovative upstarts, and a handful of familiar Ivy League names.
Summer Reading List: “The Gift of Failure”
EWA Radio: Episode 35
In 2013, Jessica Lahey — a middle school English teacher and mother of two boys — asked a question: Why would happen if more parents let their children fail? Her blog post went viral, and inspired the new book “The Gift of Failure.”
A Crowded Field: Will Education-Only News Outlets Flourish?
EWA Radio: Episode 34
The field of education-only news organizations has gotten surprisingly crowded in recent years, with a surge in coverage of policy and practice at the city, state, and national levels. Who are the players behind the surge? Do the organizations advocate a point of view, or hew closer to traditional objective news coverage?
Summer Reading List: ‘The Game Believes in You’
EWA Radio: Episode 33
What if digital gaming in the classroom didn’t just make school more fun for kids, it actually made them smarter? That’s the premise of veteran education journalist Greg Toppo’s new book, “The Game Believes in You”.
Rethinking Classroom Discipline
EWA Radio: Episode 32
Conversations about classroom discipline typically focus on ways to teach kids there are consequences to their actions as a means of controlling future behavior. But a new approach gaining ground removes the sliding scale of punishment from the equation.
Clinical psychologist Ross Greene — whose books are well known to parents of so-called “problem kids,” is rewriting the rules for how some schools respond to challenging students.
What Grit and Perseverance Could Look Like in the Classroom
EWA Radio: Episode 31
Nestled within the new-agey sounding concept of “noncognitive factors” are fairly concrete examples of what parents and educators should and shouldn’t do to prepare students for the rigors of college and careers. Gleaned from research into brain development and human behavior, a toolkit is emerging on how to make the best of the scholarship focused on qualities like grit, persistence and learning from mistakes.
The Higher Ed Beat: Covering Hispanic Students
EWA Radio: Episode 30
With Hispanic students accounting for the largest growth in college enrollment, how are higher education institutions reshaping programs and services to meet their needs? What are the most popular colleges for Hispanic students, and what’s driving their choices?
Summer Reading List: ‘The Boy Who Played With Fusion’
EWA Radio: Episode 29
In The Boy Who Played With Fusion, journalist Tom Clynes tells the story of Taylor Wilson, a boy genius with a passion for nuclear fusion who makes his way from his modest home in Arkansas to center stage in world of international science competitions.
After Pushback, White House Yields on College Ratings
EWA Radio: Episode 28
After nearly two years of public debate, and vociferous pushback from the higher education community, the White House announced it is pulling back on plans to rate the nation’s colleges based on a complex matrix of performance measures and student outcomes. Paul Fain, news editor for Inside Higher Ed has been following this story closely since the beginning, and he helped break the news that the Obama administration was scrapping the most controversial parts of its original proposal.
He spoke with EWA public editor Emily Richmond about who’s surprised by the decision (hint: not a lot of people), and the role played by aggressive lobbying against the rating plan by much of the higher education community. Fain and Richmond also discussed college ratings and consumer tools already available, and how to answer parents and students who ask for advice on choosing a school.
The Graduation Rate Myth
EWA Radio: Episode 27
In his State of the Union address in January, President Obama noted that the nation’s graduation rate had hit a 30-year record high of 81 percent. But how accurate is that number? National Public Radio’s education team decided to find out, assigning 14 regional reporters to cover the story. What they found is that while there is likely some genuine improvement in student achievement, there are also plenty of instances where schools and districts are lowering expectations in order to raise the grad rate.
EWA Radio spoke with the lead journalists on the multimedia project: Anya Kamanetz and Cory Turner. They discussed the origins of the assignment, lessons learned along the way, and some smart tips for local reporters looking at the data in their own communities.
Life After Graduation for Students With Disabilities
EWA Radio: Episode 26
For students with disabilities, it can be a rocky transition from a supportive school environment to the “real world” of college and career. What programs and services are helping to clear their path? Which districts and states are doing the best job at preparing students with disabilities to advocate for themselves? And where is the policy and practice falling short? Education Week delves deep into these issues.
Education Week staff writer Christina Samuels, the lead reporter on the Diplomas Count 2015 report Next Steps: Life After Graduation, talks with EWA Radio about the national trends, examples of best practices, and story ideas for local reporters writing about special education issues.
Texas School Funding: An Unfair Formula?
EWA Radio: Episode 25
Laura Isensee of Houston Public Media talks with EWA public editor Emily Richmond about her five-part series examining school funding inequities in the Lone Star State.
A former reporter with the Miami Herald, Isensee also discusses making the transition from print to broadcast, how reporters can take advantage of multimedia opportunities, and the challenge of turning “numbers heavy” pieces into stories that listeners can relate to—and want to hear.
Ohio and the Common Core
EWA Radio: Episode 24
This spring marks the debut of online assessments aligned to the Common Core, and so far the rollout has been uneven as many states struggle with technical logistics.
EWA public editor Emily Richmond talks with education reporter Charlie Boss of the Columbus Dispatch about how Ohio’s districts, schools, teachers and students are adjusting to the demands of the new standards and tests.
Mindful Learning: Reporting on Classroom Innovations
EWA Radio: Episode 23
How do teachers and parents determine whether school reform is effective? Hint: it’s not all about test scores.
Reporter Katrina Schwartz focuses on classroom innovations for KQED San Francisco’s Mindshift education blog, which is produced in partnership with NPR.
She spoke to EWA’s Emily Richmond and Mikhail Zinshteyn about sifting through the buzzwords, what attracts her to a potential education story, and why anecdotal evidence is worth considering when evaluating school and student performance.
Germany’s Free Colleges
EWA Radio: Episode 22
Boston public radio reporter Kirk Carapezza (WGBH News) spent a week in Germany examining the country’s tuition-free higher education system. What lessons are there for the United States, which is grappling with issues of equity and cost at its own colleges and universities? How is Germany successfully training its next generation of vocational workers? Could Americans ever embrace a public school system that rigorously “tracks” students toward specific careers at an early age?
Tackling Pearson
EWA Radio: Episode 21
In her investigative takeout for Politico Pro, reporter Stephanie Simon tackles British publishing giant Pearson, which has raked in billions of dollars in profits as a direct result of the testing requirements mandated to U.S. by No Child Left Behind. Are lax regulations allowing Pearson to make huge profits despite falling short on its contractual obligations? Are states and districts in a position to do a better job of oversight?
For Students, Uneven Benefits of Boston’s Longer School Days
EWA Radio: Episode 20
Grappling with achievement gaps between their rich and poor students, a growing number of schools and districts are resolving to add more minutes or days to the academic calendar, and Boston has emerged as a leader in this trend.
Jeb Bush: The Education Reformer
EWA Radio: Episode 19
The New Yorker magazine recently served up a deep look at Jeb Bush’s history as an education reformer, and how it might influence his positions as a potential candidate for president.
State of the Union: Where’s the K-12?
EWA Radio, Episode 18, Part 2
President Obama’s address to Congress laid out ambitious plans for higher education reform. But there was scant mention of initiatives for elementary and secondary students.
State of the Union: Higher Ed Steals the Spotlight
EWA Radio, Episode 18, Part 1
On Tuesday night, President Obama renewed his commitment to making community college free to most students, despite a distinct lack of enthusiasm from the Republican-controlled Congress.
Covering the K-12 Beat and Stories to Watch in 2015
EWA Radio, Episode 17, Part 2
Two journalists, a local reporter who covers education in Bakersfield and national reporter for NPR, discuss how they approach their beats, reflect on surprises they encountered in 2014, and provide predictions for the stories of 2015. Teaser: What grabs attention nationally may not be on the minds of local readers.
Covering the Higher-Ed Beat and Stories to Watch in 2015
EWA Radio, Episode 17, Part 1
A reporter who covers Ohio State University and a national higher-ed reporter discuss how their vantage points influence coverage. Does having a background in covering K-12 improve higher-ed reporting? Do national reporters benefit from living near flagship state universities? The guests also make predictions for stories to watch in 2015.
Lessons From the Rolling Stone Debacle
EWA Radio, Episode 16
Earlier this month, Rolling Stone magazine published a story about an alleged gang rape at the University of Virginia, which resulted in outrage, shock, and a temporary suspension of all fraternities and sororities at the vaunted institution of higher education. But now, serious questions have been raised about freelance writer Sabrina Rubin Erdely’s reporting, as well as Rolling Stone’s decision to publish the story without stronger verification.
“A River of Booze”
EWA Radio, Episode 15
It’s no surprise that many college students drink, especially those attending a flagship university with a storied sports program. Reporters Karin Fischer and Eric Hoover of The Chronicle of Higher Education explored the realities of a mass drinking culture at the University of Georgia in an extraordinary article, “A River of Booze.”
The Midterms: New Congress, Same Education Strife?
EWA Radio, Episode 14
Politico’s Allie Grasgreen and Alyson Klein of Education Week join EWA Radio hosts Emily Richmond and Mikhail Zinshteyn to discuss the changing education priorities of Congress now that the GOP controls both houses. The reporters share their election surprises and provide tips for reporters on what to expect in federal legislation through 2016.
Principal Turnover: What’s Happening in Denver?
EWA Radio, Episode 13
Why are so many principals in Denver leaving their jobs? And what is the local school district doing to try and stem the churn? EWA Radio speaks with Katharine Schimel of Chalkbeat Colorado about her story looking into the high rate of principal turnover, and what it means for student learning and campus climate in the Mile High City.
EWA Resources: We’ve Got You Covered
Whether you’re a veteran journalist or relatively new to the education beat, EWA’s resources can help you make the most of your reporting.
Under Scrutiny: Los Angeles Unified’s iPad Purchases
EWA Radio, Episode 12
EWA’s Emily Richmond and Mikhail Zinshteyn speak with Annie Gilbertson of KPCC, Southern California’s NPR affiliate, about her investigation into the Los Angeles Unified School District’s $1.2 billion investment in classroom technology.
Money Magazine Ranks Colleges’ ROI
EWA Radio, Episode 11
EWA’s Emily Richmond and Mikhail Zinshteyn speak with Money Magazine education reporter Kim Clark about the publication’s first-ever college rankings, which focus on the return-on-investment factor of earning a degree from a particular institution.
Illinois Lawmakers Use Influence on Teacher Licensing
EWA Radio, Episode 10
A Chicago Tribune investigation turns up instances of lawmakers intervening in teacher licensing decisions on behalf of their friends and donors. Tribune education reporter Diane Rado speaks with EWA’s Emily Richmond and Mikhail Zinshteyn about her ongoing coverage of licensing issues, and what it means for local students and schools.
To Avoid Suspension, Students Talk It Out
EWA Radio, Episode 9
In Texas, a state known for its zero-tolerance approach to school discipline, 80 percent of its prisoners are high school dropouts. And as more research finds a link between suspensions and quitting school early, the evidence is mounting that keeping kids from learning for behavioral reasons hurts their academic outcomes. Against this backdrop is White Middle School in central Texas.
Is Kochs’ High School Finance Class Pushing Conservative Agenda?
EWA Radio, Episode 8
This week, Emily and Mikhail talk to Joy Resmovits of The Huffington Post, who discusses her story (written with colleague Christina Wilkie) about the Charles G. Koch Foundation’s creation of Youth Entrepreneurs: a public high school finance course being used in schools in the midwest and south, which was designed to introduce students to free market theory and economics with a distinctly conservative point of view.
Michigan’s Charter Schools: Detroit Free Press Digs Deep
EWA Radio, Episode 7
A year-long investigation into Michigan’s charter schools by the Detroit Free Press uncovered wasteful spending, cozy contracts, and missed opportunities to shut down long-struggling campuses, according to the newspaper.
Investigating an Absentee ‘Epidemic’ in Oregon
EWA Radio, Episode 6
This week, Emily Richmond sits down with the Oregonian’s Betsy Hammond to talk about her exhaustive investigation into Oregon’s chronic absentee problem.
How Fair Are Florida’s Teacher Evaluations?
EWA Radio, Episode 5
On this week’s show, Emily and Mikhail talk with Tampa Bay Times reporter Lisa Gartner about whether Florida’s evaluation system might be falling short when it comes to identifying the state’s best teachers.
One Teacher, One Principal: The Human Side of Evaluations
EWA Radio, Episode 4
In episode 4 of EWA Radio, Emily Richmond talks to Gabrielle Russon of the Sarasota Herald-Tribune about covering teacher evaluations from the perspective of teacher and principal.
State of the Union: Parsing the President’s Education Priorities
EWA Radio, Episode 3
In episode 3 of EWA Radio, Michele McNeil and Alyson Klein of Education Week’s Politics K-12 blog stop by for some post-State of the Union analysis.
New Year’s Resolution: Kick the Buzzword Habit
EWA Radio, Episode 2
In episode 2 of EWA Radio: Ditching the jargon in the New Year; talking transparency and jumping from journalism to public service with Dorie Nolt, press secretary to Arne Duncan.
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
EWA Radio, Episode 1
It’s the very first episode of EWA’s new podcast!