2023 Beat Reporting (Large Newsroom) Finalists
Laura Meckler
The Washington Post
Confronting Challenges in Education
- She pushed back her student’s hijab. Was it a mistake or an act of hate?
- Trans kids crave acceptance at school in a nation that often resists it
- What happened when an Ohio school district rushed to integrate classrooms
- For many home-schoolers, parents are no longer doing the teaching
- How a true believer’s flawed research helped legitimize home schooling
Comments From the Judges:
“Lots of lovely writing and strong reporting here — and deep examination of tough topics, like the one about the incident that went viral on social media. Also loved the story about the fact that many home-school students aren’t being taught by their parents — felt like a fresh take on the homeschool trend, and a fascinating and important one.”
“This entry contains a wide variety of education issues and is well-written and reported. The stories contain depth and nuance. The home schooling stories were very strong – providing solid information about the research results and crediting readers with being able to decide the issues for themselves.”
Talia Richman
The Dallas Morning News
Talia Richman Beat Reporting
- How a Texas girl scared of school shootings was punished
- Lewisville ISD making changes after student who feared shooting threat was punished
- Inside Texas’ explosion of uncertified new teachers filling shortages
- Gov. Abbott visits only Christian schools on Texas tour touting education savings accounts
- How Texas plans to make access to advanced math more equitable
Comments From the Judges:
“Assured writing about important topics. Most impressive was her story of a middle school student who was suspended for raising concerns about school safety. The story was carefully reported, powerfully told, and ultimately helped spur changes to the district’s discipline policies.”
“Wide variety of topics and all of them were handled very well. These stories have it all: solid reporting, terrific writing and storytelling and the stories appear to have helped change policy.”
Bianca Vázquez Toness
The Associated Press
Centering Kids and Families: Bianca Vázquez Toness’ Work
- ‘Too much to learn’: Schools race to catch up kids’ reading
- Many kids are struggling in school. Do their parents know?
- Millions of kids are missing weeks of school as attendance tanks across the US
- These kids want to go to school. The main obstacle? Paperwork
Comments From the Judges:
“Powerful reporting that sheds light on the causes of students’ post-pandemic struggles and the lasting damage it’s caused. Vázquez Toness clearly went to great lengths to identify parents’ whose voices too often go unheard and to tell their stories thoughtfully.”
“All of these stories help us understand not just what is happening in terms of students missing school, but why, on a nuanced level that combines data and personal experiences of students, teachers and parents.”
