About the Entry

Chalkbeat won kudos from judges for its in-depth series about the rising influence and power of a network of organizations pushing public school districts to outsource school management - especially of low-performing schools - to charters.

• A ‘portfolio’ of schools? How a nationwide effort to disrupt urban school districts is gaining traction
• In Kansas City, national push for portfolio model gives way to local group with similar message, different methods
• Advocates of the portfolio model for improving schools say it works. Are they right?
• David Osborne wants more cities to run their schools like Indianapolis, but locals say that won’t be easy
• What an author’s visit to Memphis tells us about competing ideas for the district’s future

Entry Credit

• Matt Barnum, Reporter, Chalkbeat
• Dylan Peers McCoy, Reporter, Chalkbeat
• Laura Kebede, Reporter, Chalkbeat

Comments from the Judges

“This series synthesized a large amount of research, seamlessly stitching together multiple (controversial) reform-y ideas. Chronicling the efforts of multiple cities, while talking with key players in those cities, revealed the struggles and the power-plays happening in the world of school intervention and turnaround.”

“Interesting look at the portfolio model, the kind of reforms I see emerging in other areas of the country.”

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