Each week, EWA's public editor, Emily Richmond, hosts engaging interviews with journalists about education and its coverage in the media.
Don't Miss an Episode! Subscribe to the EWA Radio Podcast
Find us on iHeartRadio, iTunes, Google Podcasts, Google Play Music, Pocket Casts Radio.com (app only), Spotify, Stitcher, or through the RSS feed.
If you have an idea for an episode, let Emily know. Remember to rate us on iTunes—your feedback and support will help us grow.
©2018 Education Writers Association
"Mother Will Call" by PK Jazz Collective used under terms of the CC-BY-NC-SA 4.0 license.
Each week, EWA’s public editor, Emily Richmond, hosts engaging
interviews with journalists about education and its coverage in
the media.
Don’t Miss an Episode! Subscribe to the EWA Radio Podcast
Find us on iHeartRadio,
iTunes,
Google Podcasts, Google
Play Music, Pocket Casts
Radio.com (app
only), Spotify,
Stitcher,
or through the RSS feed.
If you have an idea for an episode, let Emily
know. Remember to rate us on
iTunes—your feedback and support will help us grow.
©2018 Education Writers Association
“Mother Will Call” by PK Jazz Collective used under terms of
the CC-BY-NC-SA
4.0 license.
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!