Journalist members wrote in-depth online resources for the Education Writers Association in 2024, helping their fellow reporters cover a range of education issues all year long.
There’s a noticeable trend in which blogs made this year’s list of the top 10 most-read EWA blogs. Data shows a large number of EWA members particularly wanted to grow their journalism skills around better covering marginalized students and threats they face. And, this likely won’t be surprising during an election year – a few blogs making the list detailed the effects of politics on education.
As always, thanks to the journalists who helped us digitally educate members and others! Based on EWA website analytics, here are the top 10 blogs of 2024:
10. How to Cover Political Threats to DEI (Sept. 17, 2024)
Debbie Truong wrote about anti-DEI efforts and laws, and how they have reshaped colleges, including the closing of DEI offices and the firing of employees.
9. How to Report on Teacher Strikes (April 10, 2024)
Christopher Huffaker and Deanna Pan of The Boston Globe produced this teacher strike coverage guide to help reporters get this story right.
8. A Guide to the Guides: What to Know About LGBTQ Style Guides for Journalists (May 27, 2024)
Beth Hawkins of The 74 originally wrote this primer of LGBTQ+ style guides in 2022. She collaborated with Kae Petrin of Chalkbeat, Justin Myers of Chicago Sun-Times, and Mike Hixenbaugh of NBC News to update it in time for the 2024 National Seminar in Las Vegas.
7. 10 Facts About Young Voters and Civics Education (Oct. 31, 2024)
Jewél Jackson captured a National Seminar panel conversation among experts. Speakers discussed political polarization and how young people should be taught about the government.
6. Covering Rural Colleges and Students Requires Context (Jan. 2, 2024)
Sami Edge of The Oregonian wrote this enterprise piece helping journalists best evaluate how well rural colleges are serving their students after writing an EWA event blog on a related topic.
5. Covering Immigrant Students Ahead of Elections (March 20, 2024)
Jo Napolitano of The 74 advised reporters on covering newcomer students as immigration and education continue to be major political issues.
4. Using and Vetting Data for Better Child Care Journalism (Feb. 21, 2024)
Rachel Cohen of Vox explained why reporters need to maintain their due diligence and skepticism when covering the child care sector.
3. Covering AI in Education (June 10, 2024)
Jill Barshay of The Hechinger Report detailed why it’s important to keep the focus on student outcomes when covering artificial intelligence and any type of education technology.
2. Responsibly Covering Undocumented Students (July 30, 2024)
Ira Porter of The Christian Science Monitor recapped a 2024 National Seminar panel. Journalists and experts helped reporters understand barriers to higher education affecting undocumented students.
1. Centering Black Girls in Media Coverage (Aug. 13, 2024)
Melinda D. Anderson helped journalists better cover Black girls – who experience gender and race-based stereotypes and adultification bias, research shows – after organizing a session on the topic for the National Seminar. She used the panel as a jumping off point for the piece, and then went even deeper.
This holiday season, catch up or re-listen to the most popular EWA Radio episodes of the year.
Experts discussed what AI is, what it can be used for and where reporters should look for red flags.
Journalist Srishti Prabha compiled tips from experts, creating a resource for more inclusive reporting on people with disabilities.
A local investigation revealed higher education's role in displacing a Black community. Learn how the reporting team did the award-winning series.
Journalists and educators share insights on covering climate change on the education beat – including why it’s important and how to seamlessly integrate coverage.
