Entry Credit

• Ron French, Bridge Magazine
• Mike Wilkinson, Bridge Magazine

About the Entry

The Bridge’s data-driven reporting uncovered a startling increase in the number of uncertified long-term subs in Michigan’s classrooms. Ron French and Mike Wilkinson examined the issue from many angles, and provided families with a searchable database to look up how many long-term subs are in their schools. 

• Michigan Leans on Long-Term Substitutes as Its Schools Struggle

• How a Wedding Planner Became an Uncertified Michigan Teacher for $15 an Hour

• Alarmed by Long-Term Subs, Detroit Raised Teacher Pay and Offered Bonuses

• After 3 Years of Substitute Teachers, This Michigan Girl May Flunk 3rd Grade

Comments from the Judges

“Great mix of in-depth reporting and data analysis and presentation. Gets to the heart of journalism by providing valuable information that the public likely wasn’t aware of.”

“The entry represents dogged reporting that uncovered a serious problem that could greatly impact the quality of students’ education, but is not likely obvious to most outside of the school systems.”

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.​