Top 10 Most-Read EWA Blogs of 2022

The Education Writers Association provides resources to help journalists do their work all year long. And, we can’t do this without input from education reporters. 

I’m grateful for the journalists who take freelance assignments from EWA, go above and beyond, and produce informative resources for their colleagues. To all the journalists who wrote blogs for EWA this year, thank you!

EWA staffers, including myself, also occasionally write blogs. We look forward to bringing you more in 2023.

I hope you will take some time this holiday season to read (or re-read) these blogs. Based on analytics, here are the top 10: 

10. Practical Tips for Editors Who Oversee (or Plan to Create) Education Labs, Grant-Funded Reporting Teams (March 9, 2022)

Newsroom leaders shared important lessons with me about the hybrid business model that is helping local, public service journalism thrive at for-profit news outlets around the country. 

Learn how to find a fiscal sponsor, pitch a philanthropist, write grants, sustain a nonprofit media business and more. 

Read the tip sheet by Kristan Obeng.

9. How to Cover the Varied World of Tutoring (Feb. 1, 2022) 

The explosion of tutoring programs, including digital services that promise around-the-clock help to students, raise many questions education reporters should ask. 

Lily Altavena of the Detroit Free Press helped journalists get up to speed on tutoring during the pandemic and cover the complexities of this story in their communities.

Read the story by Lily Altavena.

8. How to Better Cover LGBTQ Students in the Pandemic Era of ‘Don’t Say Gay,’ Book Bans and Other Issues (April 20, 2022)

This deep dive by Beth Hawkins of The 74 catches reporters up on the legislation and issues affecting LGBTQ students. Read this main story and two other related pieces to improve your coverage.

Read the explainer by Beth Hawkins.

7. EWA Tip Sheet: School Finance Reporting Tools and Databases (April 1, 2022)

Back when she was reporting in Hawaii, Suevon Lee – now at WBUR – covered an EWA workshop at the 2022 SXSW EDU Conference & Festival. Experts shared how to find and use school-level spending data.

Read the tip sheet by Suevon Lee.

6. How to Cover the Complex World of Child Care Funding (Jan. 3, 2022) 

Jackie Mader reports regularly on early childhood education for The Hechinger Report. Learn from her about how child care programs braid funding together—and still struggle to survive.

Read the backgrounder from Jackie Mader.

5. How Reporters Can Better Cover Enrollment Shifts at Public Schools (April 22, 2022)

Mila Koumpilova of Chalkbeat Chicago also reported for EWA while attending the 2022 SXSW EDU Conference & Festival. School finance experts offered reporters guidance on how to cover ongoing enrollment shifts during an EWA-sponsored session. 

Ready the blog by Mila Koumpilova.

4. Education Labs: The Past, Present and Future of Grant-Funded Journalism Units (March 9, 2022)

I write about things that intrigue me, especially education topics that intersect with digital, product development and people of color. So it’s no wonder I wrote an in-depth piece on education labs. 

These nonprofit journalism units within for-profit entities are engaging diverse audiences and tackling solutions journalism while helping local news thrive. Learn more about their origins, current projects and plans.

Read the explainer by Kristan Obeng.

3. Covering Parent Activism and Engagement? Go Beyond Critical Race Theory (May 25, 2022)

“Sexy headlines” about the latest education controversy often grab attention. Maria Polletta of Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting explained why reporters shouldn’t limit their coverage. She also shared research and the history of parent engagement in education.

Read the piece by Maria Polletta.

2. The Student Mental Health Crisis: Resources for Reporters (Oct. 14, 2022)

Lynne Lamberg wrote about student mental health – only two months ago, and her blog climbed to No. 2 on our list! This shows many journalists recognize the importance of reporting on student mental health right now. If you haven’t yet, be sure to get tips from Lynne on covering this issue. 

The piece contains original reporting and interviews, and expands on Lynne’s coverage at the 75th National Seminar. 

Read the in-depth report by Lynne Lamberg.

1. Martin Luther King Jr. Said, ‘Education is a Battleground.’ Reflecting on His Words (Jan. 5, 2022)

I bet you all admire Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as much as I do.

To honor the late humanitarian rights leader for his birthday and holiday, I explained why his remarks on education continue to be relevant in 21st century America.

Read the story by Kristan Obeng.