About the Entry

A collaboration among NPR member stations nationwide digs deep into how states pay for their public schools, surprising inequities among neighboring communities, and why many funding formulas are failing to meet the needs of their most vulnerable students.  

• Why Do America’s Schools Have A Money Problem?
• Can More Money Fix America’s Schools?
• Is There A Better Way To Pay For America’s Schools?

Entry Credit

NPR

• Alyson Hurt, Graphics Editor, NPR
• Amy Morgan, Copy Editor, NPR
• Katie Park, Deputy Graphics Editor, NPR
• Claudio Sanchez, Reporter, NPR
• Acacia Squires, Editor, NPR
• Cory Turner, Senior Editor/Correspondent, NPR

NPR Member Stations

• Paul Boger, Reporter, Mississippi Public Broadcasting
• Jenny Brundin, Reporter, Colorado Public Radio
• Kirk Carapezza, Reporter, WGBH
• Dan Carsen, Reporter, WBHM
• Beth Fertig, Reporter, WNYC
• Sarah Gonzalez, Reporter, New Jersey Public Radio
• Jennifer Guerra, Reporter, Michigan Radio
• Laura Isensee, Reporter, Houston Public Media
• Reema Khrais, Reporter, WUNC
• Tim Lloyd, Reporter, St. Louis Public Radio
• Rob Manning, Reporter, OPB
• Kevin McCorry, Reporter, WHYY
• Kate McGee, Reporter, KUT
• Claire McInerny, Reporter, Indiana Public Broadcasting
• Alexandra Olgin, Reporter, KJZZ
• Aaron Schrank, Reporter, Wyoming Public Radio
• Ana Tintocalis, Reporter, KQED
• Becky Vevea, Reporter, WBEZ
• Lisa Worf, Reporter, WFAE
• Sam Zeff, Reporter, KCUR

Education Week

• Holly Yettick, Director, Education Week Research Center

Comments from the Judges

“This is a tough topic to tackle in broadcast, especially on the radio. It is an excellent, in-depth explainer on a topic every education reporter is familiar with but rarely dives into for it’s own sake. It also highlights national trends in funding issues, which, again, don’t get much attention. All of the local stories are sound rich, another impressive accomplishment given the topic.”

“The team took a wonky subject and made it simple and interesting. The comprehensive reporting (I appreciated hearing how urban/rural areas were different) and robust website made this series a pleasure to listen to. Not to mention, coordinating with 20 member stations seems like a Herculean effort.”

SEE THE FULL LIST OF 2016 FINALISTS