2017 Investigative Reporting for Print/Online (Small Staff) Finalist: Shaina Cavazos

About the Entry

Chalkbeat’s Shaina Cavazos conducted an eye-opening investigation into Indiana’s virtual schools, uncovering allegations of misspent funds and failures to adhere to state regulations for teacher staffing and student oversight.

Comments from the Judges

“This series is thorough and compelling … This is a very important story for all rural school districts and states hoping to use online services to solve complex education problems.”

“Great topic well organized … tells a damning story in diamond-sharp details about misspent public funding, high student/teacher ratios and lack of interaction, appalling graduation rates, negligible oversight, and conflicts of interest.”