2024 Beat Reporting (Education-Only Outlets) Finalists
Linda Jacobson
The 74
Beat Reporting for The 74
- Exclusive: Texas Seeks to Inject Bible Stories into Elementary School Reading Program
- Skyrocketing Test Gains in Oklahoma Are Largely Fiction, Experts Say
- Exclusive Data: Thousands of Schools at Risk of Closing Due to Enrollment Loss
- Failed West Virginia Microschool Fuels State Probe — and Some Soul Searching
- Road Scholars: When These Families Travel, School Comes Along for the Ride
Comments From the Judges:
“A truly strong collection of watchdog stories, good enterprise and pieces that make you say “I had no idea,” such as the road scholars. The story on high percentage of schools in some districts losing enrollment was smart. A great watchdog reporting why Oklahoma’s test scores increased.”
“Linda is an accountability machine. Her story out of Texas had major ripple effects across the state and was chased by many other reporters. She consistently finds interesting ways into the debate over school choice — and how to hold these programs accountable for the way families use public money.”
Mila Koumpilova
Chalkbeat Chicago
Mila Koumpilova Beat Reporting
- ‘The kids everyone forgot’: The faltering post-pandemic push to reengage teens and young adults not in school, college, or the workforce
- Ballot challenges, big money, information gaps: How Chicago’s first school board elections played out
- Chicago is winding down a trailblazing program to help dropouts. What got in its way?
- Chicago touts after-school program growth but cuts funding
- How much has been spent on Chicago’s school board elections? Almost $7 million.
Comments From the Judges:
“Story 1 — this is how it’s done. Fantastic. This story has everything — a captivating lead, tour-de-force writing, scientific studies, local and national context, nuance. What a blessing. Oh god, a key moment in the storytelling, my eyes watered. Story 2– Mila can WRITE! She makes bold, authoritative statements only when the reporting backs up the certainty. I love it. Story 3 — good retrospective on a program with high hopes but few wins.”
“Mila is a sensational writer with a keen sense of what stories are most important. Her package was filled with beautiful storytelling and impressive data analysis. Most impressive was her deep-dive on ‘opportunity youth,’ though I also appreciated her smart coverage of Chicago school board elections.”
Jackie Mader
The Hechinger Report
Covering Early Education
- The dark future of American child care
- Norway law decrees: Let childhood be childhood
- Free child care exists in America — if you cross paths with the right philanthropist
- ‘Opportunities,’ not poverty alone, predict later-life success for children
- How child-focused ballot measures fared this election
Comments From the Judges:
“I loved Jackie’s approach to these wide-ranging stories that held state officials accountable. Her package featured strong investigative work, ambitious storytelling (with a trip to Oslo!) and a useful utility piece on ballot measures. She took on early childhood education from all sides, with a thoughtful and illuminating package.”
“Strong narrative and accountability reporting on a topic within education that is often not treated with the gravitas it deserves. From quick-hit election night coverage to deeply reported investigations that took her to Norway, her coverage has it all — a mark of a skilled, well-versed reporter who truly understands her beat and audience.”
