Entry Credit

• Anna M. Phillips, Los Angeles Times

About the Entry

Anna Phillips spent months digging through legal documents, property records, financial audits, disclosure forms and campaign finance records to determine why California’s oversight system allowed a troubled charter school network to stay open.

• How a Couple Worked Charter School Regulations to Make Millions

• Small Districts Reap Big Profits by Approving Charter Schools With Little Oversight

• California’s Broken Charter School Law Has Defied Reform. Can Newsom Break the Gridlock?

Comments from the Judges

“Exceptional watchdog reporting on the fast-growing charter school industry.”

“Wow — an amazing look at how little accountability there is in this system.The look at how struggling districts are turning to charters to boost funding and enrollment was eye-opening and something I’d never heard of, even though I’ve covered this space for years. A real find and a great payoff for thorough reporting. Overall, an amazing series.”

SEE THE FULL LIST OF 2019 FINALISTS

EWA is grateful to the College Board for its generous support of the 2019 National Awards for Education Reporting.​