78th EWA National Seminar

Midway Suites 6

Depot Registration Office

Regency C

Sponsored by Agency and Charter School Growth Fund

Depot Registration Office

Grand Ballroom DEF

Midway Suites 5

Journalists with shared and intersectional identities are invited to network, troubleshoot industry issues and build community with others on the education beat. Open to journalist members only. LGBTQ+ allies welcome.

Grand Ballroom DEF

• Kathy Chow, executive director, Education Writers Association 
• Eva-Marie Ayala, president, board of directors, Education Writers Association

Grand AB

In these tumultuous times, how can reporters improve their coverage of issues and challenges related to undocumented students and their school communities? What do recent changes to federal immigration policy imply for journalism’s best practices, and where are the opportunities to explore beyond the familiar storylines? 

• Natalia Alamdari, Flatwater Free Press 
• Antero Garcia, Stanford University
• Jo Napolitano, The 74
• Reema Amin, Chalkbeat Chicago (moderator)

Regency B

Teens continue to report declining interests in school and pursuing higher education. Chronic absenteeism also remains a persistent issue. Could a sharper focus on career pathways help schools better engage students? Hear from a researcher, district leader and students about their experiences with pathway programs, such as career and technical education and apprenticeships. Learn what strategies some schools are pursuing to support student learning and advancement.  

• Micaiah Brown, Belleville Township High School District 201 (Illinois)
• Serenity Graham, Belleville Township High School District 201 (Illinois)
• Lazaro Lopez, Township High School District 214 (Illinois)
• Jay Plasman, The Ohio State University 
• Mila Koumpilova, Chalkbeat Chicago (moderator)

Midway Suites 7 & 8

From uncovering data on school funding, teacher retention and student performance to navigating the legal complexities of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and public records laws, this session equips journalists of all levels with tools and strategies to successfully access and use education records. Panelists discuss useful records to obtain, tips for crafting requests, strategies for overcoming denials and legal considerations.

• David Cuillier, Brechner Freedom of Information Project 
• Sydney Sims, Brechner Freedom of Information Project
• Gunita Singh, Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press 
• Alex Walters, The State News at Michigan State University

Regency A

Colleges are confronting federal investigatory threats over what can be done and taught related to diversity, equity and inclusion programs while risking federal funding cuts if they don’t police protests and certain classes. Meanwhile, some states – including Florida – have restricted what can be taught about some topics, such as systemic racism. What is the state of academic freedom on campus, and what does it mean for faculty, students and learning?

• Will Creeley, FIRE
• Miguel Luna, University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Amy Reid, PEN America
• Ryan Quinn, Inside Higher Ed (moderator)

Regency C

In this insightful and always popular session, print and broadcast reporters reveal to communications professionals what pitches capture their attention and what issues interest them the most in this unprecedented education landscape. Crucially, journalists also explain what not to do.

• Juan Perez Jr., POLITICO
• Suzanne Perez, KMUW-FM (Kansas)
• Chris Quintana, USA Today
• Allie Ciaramella, National Council of Teachers of English (moderator)

Midway Suites 6

Let’s talk about public school choice – wildly popular and highly effective, yet it’s often misunderstood and mischaracterized. Why is public school choice working for families across the country? Join experts representing diverse public school choice options – including innovative district and charter schools – to dive into new, emerging research on this topic. Attendees leave with a deeper understanding and actionable insights for covering public school choice options. (Sponsored and organized by Agency, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Charter School Growth Fund and City Fund.)

• Kimberly Neal-Brannum, BELIEVE Schools
• Rachel Powers, The Opportunity Trust
• Curtis Valentine, Progressive Policy Institute
• Zachary Schermele, USA Today (moderator)

Grand Ballroom DEF

Sponsored by Strada Education Foundation

Remarks by Travis Reindl, Strada Education Foundation

Grand Ballroom DEF

Depot Registration Office

Regency B

First came the Every Student Succeeds Act and COVID-19. Federal oversight waned and states relaxed accountability systems. Now the Trump administration is scaling back the data the federal government collects, including the backbone of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, a yardstick that compares student achievement nationwide. How will severe cutbacks to federal data collection impact state assessments, and what are the implications for students and schools? 

• Peggy Carr, (formerly) U.S. Department of Education
• Dale Chu, independent consultant
• Scott Marion, Center for Assessment
• Kayla Jimenez, USA Today (moderator)

Regency C

From name, image and likeness agreements – and the landmark House v. NCAA settlement that includes billions of dollars in backpay to former Division I student-athletes – to conference changes, the evolving landscape of college athletics means more higher education journalists are stepping into the sports reporting arena. What trends do reporters need to know? How are universities changing to meet the needs and demands of student-athletes?

• Kevin Blackistone, University of Maryland
• Nicole Kraft, The Ohio State University
• Shannon Scovel, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
• Sheridan Hendrix, The Columbus Dispatch (moderator)

Grand AB

School segregation has received increased coverage over the last year, particularly around the 70th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision. What were some of the deep and innovative ways reporters covered this historic and still-pressing topic? Journalists share how they created robust packages about one of education’s most persistent civil rights issues, and explain why they chose their sources, formats and story angles.  

• Lily Altavena, Detroit Free Press
• Catherine Carrera, Chalkbeat Newark
• Marianna McMurdock, independent journalist
• Amber Payne, The Emancipator

Regency A

Federal executive orders target diversity, equity and inclusion programs and policies at colleges while more than 30 states considered – and in some cases passed – similar measures to restrict DEI in recent years. Some universities eliminated DEI positions and policies while others weighed whether and how to comply, or they are resisting through legal challenges. Panelists discuss the current DEI legal landscape, the ways schools are responding, and how it’s affecting faculty and students. 

• Catherine Lhamon, (formerly) U.S. Department of Education 
• Ted Mitchell, American Council on Education
• Sydney Testman, University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Amy Morona, Signal Cleveland (moderator)

Midway Suites 5

A spin-off from one of EWA’s popular session formats, this talk is designed for communicators and storytellers working within organizations. Participants hear from in-house communications professionals who led campaigns that drove engagement and impact through storytelling. They also detail what led to successful outcomes despite working within a challenging political environment. 

• Amy Bartner, Lumina Foundation
• Lauren Roth, Orange County Public Schools
• Wendy Roundtree, Jarel Communications
• Daria Hall, Fenton (moderator)

Regency B

About 40% of college students in the U.S. attend community college, institutions that enroll a large number of historically underrepresented students. But these schools are not often covered as much as other colleges. Here’s a how-to guide on diving into the intricacies of community colleges. How are they funded? Who is really going to community college? How can you access first-generation students, student parents and other learners who fall under the “new majority”?

• Thomas Brock, Community College Research Center
• Katie Glass, Southwest Wisconsin Technical College
• Ivan Hernandez, Student Senate for California Community Colleges
• Miranda Dunlap, independent journalist (moderator)

Midway Suites 7 & 8

In this hands-on workshop, digital safety experts demonstrate how to “dox” your own digital footprint, set up preventative measures to protect your safety and privacy, and respond to online threats and abuse. 

• Davis Erin Anderson, Freedom of the Press Foundation
• Tat Bellamy-Walker, PEN America
• Emily Richmond, Education Writers Association (moderator)

Midway Suites 5

Early education and child care emerged as a critical public policy issue during the COVID-19 pandemic, even though the sector had been on the verge of collapse for decades. Explore federal, state and local initiatives aimed at strengthening early learning programs. Enhance your understanding of the significant challenges facing the system, including access, cost and equity. 

• Karen Lucy, Cornerstone Center for Early Learning
• Tunette Powell, The Children’s Equity Project at Arizona State University
• Danila Crespin Zidovsky, Saul Zaentz Early Education Initiative
• Moriah Balingit, The Associated Press (moderator)

Grand AB

Providing public dollars for private schooling is gaining momentum state by state. Before journalists can look at the debate on vouchers, they need to look closely at the measures states are implementing. Follow the money. Examine the accountability measures. Investigate the transparency of the rules. Panelists guide reporters on how to effectively look at new school choice laws.

• Liz Cohen, 50CAN/Johns Hopkins University
• Eli Hager, ProPublica
• Jacob Sanchez, Fort Worth Report (moderator)

Midway Suites 6

Can science of reading reforms solve the reading crisis? This panel challenges conventional wisdom by revealing the critical intervention that transformed a struggling district: high-dosage tutoring. A superintendent, a university researcher and a longtime literacy advocate confront uncomfortable truths about literacy inequity, exposing why traditional instruction alone perpetuates opportunity gaps. Learn what it takes for all students to excel at reading and the tools they need to succeed. (Sponsored and organized by Ignite Reading.)

• Amanda Neitzel, Johns Hopkins University
• Kareem Weaver, FULCRUM
• Jermall White, Little Rock School District 
• Jessica Sliwerski, Ignite Reading (moderator)
  

Participants tour The Center for Academic and Vocational Excellence in Illinois’ Belleville Township High School District 201. The center, which opened in 2022 and is already expanding its footprint and offerings, provides programs in a variety of fields – including aviation, welding, community health, early childhood education and more. Explore the facility; see live demonstrations, and learn about the district’s efforts to put students on the path to a career. Space is limited. (7645 Magna Dr. Ste. 1, Belleville, IL 62223) 

Burnout in Journalism

Grand AB

Join us for a presentation and discussion on what burnout is, what it isn’t and conversation on how the profession can better support journalists facing the syndrome. This session is open to journalists and community members.

• Alanna Dvorak, Poynter Institute

Covering a Geographic Beat: Rural, Urban, Suburban

Midway Suites 7 & 8

This caucus provides reporters with the tools and insights needed to navigate the complexities of covering varying geographic areas. From demographic shifts to debates over discipline and curriculum reform, resource acquisition and sourcing, dive into the critical issues shaping different educational approaches in different geographies. These conversations, open to journalists and community members, occur separately in the same room. Maximum room capacity: 50 people. 

• Samantha Hernandez, Des Moines Register – Rural
• Benjamin Herold, independent journalist – Suburban
• Sammie Smylie, Chalkbeat Chicago – Urban

Covering Disasters on the Education Beat 

Regency A

Learn how education reporters can prepare to cover disasters – and how school districts think through emergency communications. This conversation is open to journalists and community members.

• Elisa Tomich, Parkway School District
• CD Davidson-Hiers, Education Writers Association (moderator)

Journalists and Indigenous Education

Midway Suites 5

This caucus provides reporters with the tools and insights needed to navigate reporting on Indigenous communities, education and other topics. This session is open to journalists and community members. 

Lenzy Krehbiel-Burton, Tulsa World

Networking and Community for Black Journalists

Regency B

Journalists with shared and intersectional identities are invited to network, troubleshoot issues in the industry and build community with others on the education beat. This session is open to journalists only. 

• Torsheta Jackson, Mississippi Free Press
  

The 19th Class of EWA Reporting Fellows 

Midway Suites 11

This is a closed, invite-only meeting.

Midway Suites 6

Youth voices can be a powerful tool in your journalism and a great way to engage with your audience. This session explores ways to bring students – and teachers – into the process. Leaders from NPR’s Student Podcast Challenge, PBS News Student Reporting Labs, and The Bell’s student newsroom talk about how to work with schools and students to create unique and compelling content. (Sponsored and organized by SXSW EDU.)

• Steve Drummond, NPR Student Podcast Challenge
• Janet Woojeong Lee, NPR Student Podcast Challenge
• Christine Zirneklis, PBS News Student Reporting Labs
• Sabrina DuQuesnay, The Bell
• Mira Gordon, The Bell
• Taylor McGraw, The Bell
• Jadelyn Camey, The Bell
• Sophia Spies, McKinley Classical & Leadership Academy (St. Louis)
• Miriam Townsend, McKinley Classical & Leadership Academy (St. Louis)
• Meghan Joshi, St. Louis Public Schools

Regency C/Foyer B

Sponsored by the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

Depot Registration Office

Midway Suites 5

International college students face mounting pressures from the Trump administration with each day bringing a wave of breaking news. Students are afraid. Regulations are constantly changing. Amid the uncertainty, how will colleges navigate long-lasting challenges? Journalists explore best reporting practices, including tips for sourcing, ethical considerations and fresh story angles.

• Deirdre Fernandes, The Boston Globe
• Ashley Mowreader, Inside Higher Ed
• Jeffrey Young, independent journalist
• Sarah Brown, The Chronicle of Higher Education (moderator)

Midway Suites 7 & 8

Math achievement and the inequities therein have proven difficult to solve. In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, math scores plummeted. Experts and educators continue to debate the solution. Should instruction be more conceptual or focus more on procedures? Should classrooms mix students of different levels, or should more advanced students be separated? A classroom teacher, a policy expert and an education expert discuss the questions journalists should be asking in their coverage.

• Latrenda Knighten, National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
• Sarah Powell, The University of Texas at Austin
• Shane Wiggan, Orange County Public Schools (Florida)
• Daniel Mollenkamp, EdSurge (moderator)

Grand AB

The Black press has a long tradition of historically informed reporting and framing issues as matters of civil rights, race and democracy. Journalists and an archivist discuss how and why traditions of the Black press can be a guide to producing truly accurate first drafts of history in pursuit of democracy.

• Halimah Abdullah, The Emancipator
• Brandon Nightingale, Howard University
• Brandon Tensley, Capital B
• Nicole Carr, independent investigative journalist (moderator)

Midway Suites 5

In the past couple of years, coverage of college affordability has largely focused on the student debt crisis and the recent FAFSA debacle. But what else should reporters know about college affordability? How much do students typically pay for college, and how do often-underreported costs, such as housing and food, create barriers for students? The panel explores FAFSA and how well students, counselors and families are prepared to review financial aid packages and pay for school.  

• Catherine Brown, National College Attainment Network
• Phillip Levine, Brookings Institution/Wellesley College 
• Melanie Storey, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators 
• Zach Schermele, USA Today (moderator)

Regency A

Dual enrollment has grown rapidly in recent years. As more students take these courses, reporters must take a closer look at these programs to assess their quality and benefits. This session covers the goals of dual enrollment and how it differs from other college-level opportunities in high school, such as Advanced Placement classes. It also explores challenges with transferring credits and making these courses accessible to underrepresented student groups. 

• Maria Bucio, Chicago Public Schools
• John Fink, Community College Research Center
• Alex Perry, College in High School Alliance
• Megan Menchaca, Houston Chronicle (moderator)

Regency B

Climate change is reshaping schools. Extreme weather threatens learning, school infrastructure and student mental health. Meanwhile, school districts and colleges are taking steps to reduce their climate footprint and prepare students for a workforce altered by climate change. Experts and a student advocate discuss how climate change impacts schools at a time when the topic is increasingly politicized.

• Darien G. Clary, Austin Independent School District (Texas)
• Tanish Doshi, BASIS Oro Valley (Arizona)
• Laura Schifter, The Aspen Institute
• Caroline Preston, The Hechinger Report (moderator)

Midway Suites 6

A panel looks at the massive benefits to students, schools, states and industry amid the new wave of career and technical education (CTE) and apprenticeship programs rolling out around the country. AFT President Randi Weingarten joins a recent high school graduate and apprentice electrician in rural Ohio, a manager of pathbreaking CTE initiatives in Pennsylvania and the national CEO of a five-state program, CareerWise.
(Sponsored and organized by the American Federation of Teachers.)

• Chase Dumolt, electrical apprentice
• Noel Ginsburg, CareerWise
• Randi Weingarten, American Federation of Teachers
• Patrick O’Donnell (moderator)

Grand AB

School shootings capture media coverage, but the majority of children killed and injured by guns are hurt outside of school. Evidence-based, solutions-focused violence prevention coverage can supplement traditional education coverage and help the newsroom tackle how a major public health issue is impacting children and families. Journalists and experts offer subject-matter expertise and recommendations for reporting.

• John Diedrich, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
• Woodie Kessel, University of Maryland
• Anthony Williams, Jefferson County Family Resource Center
• Alaina Bookman, AL.com (moderator)

Regency A

Journalists share insights and the backstories to their in-depth reporting on undercovered and overlooked angles to postsecondary education – including Tribal colleges, rural community colleges and the rollback of affirmative action. 

• Ruchika Erravandla, Northeastern University
• Matt Krupnick, independent journalist
• Rebeca Pereira, The Concord Monitor
• Denali Sagner, The Philadelphia Inquirer
• Daarel Burnette, The Chronicle of Higher Education (moderator)

Regency B

A flurry of legislation around the science of reading means many states now require evidence-based instruction, and schools have adopted new curricula. But neither guarantees changes in classroom practices – that depends on teachers, and whether they’re given the training and support needed to make a meaningful shift. Prepare to cover the implementation phase of this work by learning about the challenges, the importance of coaching and what high-quality professional development looks like.

• Erica Boyce, PS 132Q The Ralph Bunche School (New York)
• Kymyona Burk, ExcelinEd
• Jasmine Rogers, DC Reading Clinic
• Emily Hanford, APM Reports (moderator)

Midway Suites 7 & 8 

Low expectations. Limited resources. Too few local opportunities. The obstacles that discourage and prevent students from succeeding in school are countless. Three principals share their stories of overcoming such challenges and creating a culture of high expectations to put students on the path to academic growth and success.

• Adam Clemons, Piedmont High School (Alabama)
• Abida Jafari, Hazelwood East Middle School (Missouri)
• Lauren Norwood, Burke Elementary School (Illinois)
• Trisha Powell Crain, Alabama Daily News/Alabama Public Television (moderator)

Midway Suites 5

Misinformation and disinformation can lead to misunderstandings and significant harm, derailing evidence-based policy efforts and threatening public trust. Hear from experts about how to identify and address misinformation and disinformation as well as how they’ve navigated situations when faced with public outcry based on half-truths, alternative facts and outright lies.

• Griffin Colaizzi, More in Common
• David Park, Learning Heroes
• Alee Quick, News Literacy Project
• Blair Mann, Data Quality Campaign (moderator)

Midway Suites 6

This session highlights perspectives on the value of postsecondary education, questions many students and families are asking and evaluates what can be done to ensure that more students realize a return on their educational investment. (Sponsored and organized by Strada Education Foundation.)

• Mushtaq Gunja, American Council on Education
• Jordan Matsudaira, American University
• Ruth Watkins, Strada Education Foundation
• Katherine Knott, Inside Higher Ed (moderator)

Sponsored by Agency, Bloomberg Philanthropies and City Fund.

Remarks by Marlon Marshall, City Fund

After lunch, awards will be given out for the Ronald D. Moskowitz Prize for Outstanding Beat Reporting and the Fred M. Hechinger Grand Prize for Distinguished Education Reporting.

Depot Registration Office

Grand AB

More than ever before, religion is playing a stronger role in public schools in several states. Some states have passed laws to allow – or even mandate – the posting of the 10 Commandments. Others are permitting “Bible-infused” curricula. The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a lawsuit to allow a religious charter school. What actions step over the legal line, and how should reporters cover this trend?

• Mark Chancey, Southern Methodist University
• Keisha Russell, First Liberty Institute
• Linda K. Wertheimer, independent journalist and author of “Faith Ed”
• Andrea Eger, Tulsa World (moderator)

Regency B

The Trump administration has issued several policies that target transgender people. The policies attempt to ban schools from teaching topics related to gender identity, bar transgender girls from women’s school sports and restrict transgender care for minors. Meanwhile, hundreds of similar state laws have passed since 2021. What is the current legal landscape for trans rights, and how can reporters best center trans youth safely? 

• Tat Bellamy-Walker, PEN America
• Jessica Heiser, Imprint Legal Group
• Brian Munoz, St. Louis Public Radio
• Kae Petrin, Chalkbeat (moderator)

Midway Suites 7 & 8

How can reporters make the most of education research, especially given recent changes to the availability of some federal databases? Also, get a tutorial on a brand-new resource – designed specifically for education journalists – to help reporters easily find and incorporate research into the reporting process. 

• Matt Barnum, The Wall Street Journal
• Constance Lindsay, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Doug Harris, Tulane University
• Melissa Taboada, The Boston Globe (moderator)

Regency A

While recent studies show some signs of improvement in student mental health, historically high rates of depression and anxiety remain a top concern for experts, students, families and schools. But is the “crisis” narrative, which drives many stories on student mental health, helping or hurting? What does research say about which student populations are more likely to struggle, and which are less likely to receive support? And how is campus counseling evolving to meet a rising demand for services? 

• Sara Abelson, Temple University
• Ben Locke, Togetherall
• Eric Wood, Texas Christian University 
• Kelly Field, independent journalist (moderator)

Midway Suites 5

A long-standing favorite session at the National Seminar! Are op-eds still worth it? Does your organization need a podcast? Are Bluesky and Threads viable alternatives to X? Is TikTok still a thing? What social media listening tools are best? Do I really need to know about ChatGPT? How are changes to legacy newsrooms impacting your comms strategy? What topics are trending, and what’s now old news? 

• Cassaundra Moore, Washington University (St. Louis)
• Carlos Ignacio Zavala, Whiteboard Advisors
• Emmeline Zhao, The 74 
• Dorie Turner Nolt, Dorie Turner Nolt Consulting (moderator)

Midway Suites 6

Speakers explore scalable strategies, shifts in instructional practice, and innovative partnerships necessary to drive reading achievement for all students across state and district systems. Attendees gain takeaways on stories related to aligning high-quality curriculum, educator support and community engagement to advance literacy outcomes from early grades to high school. (Sponsored and organized by the Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family)

• Emily Freitag, Instruction Partners
• Heather Peske, National Council on Teacher Quality
• Kiffany Pride, Arkansas Department of Education
• Zachary Schermele, USA Today (moderator)

Regency A

As career education grows more popular in the postsecondary education space, what is the future of humanities degrees and liberal arts colleges? Will the humanities only be accessible to the privileged? Panelists discuss the shifts in what students expect from higher education and the value of studying the humanities today. Find out how some colleges are adapting to help students be job-ready, and see the practical application of the humanities. 

• Scott Muir, National Humanities Alliance
• Ange Muyumba, Washington University (St. Louis)
• Stephanie Shonekan, University of Maryland
• Korie Dean, The News & Observer (moderator)

MIdway Suites 7 & 8

In a series of roundtable discussions, journalists talk through challenges frequently faced on the education beat. They offer strategies for gaining access to classrooms, documents and school officials. Speakers share tips for generating fresh story ideas, along with finding students and thoughtfully incorporating their voices into your reporting. Get guidance on balancing daily beat pressures with enterprise projects and on navigating the reporter-editor relationship. 

• Jenny Brundin, Colorado Public Radio
• Larry Gordon, EdSource
• Kristen Griffith, The Baltimore Banner
• Asher Lehrer-Small, Houston Landing
• Alia Wong, The Associated Press

Midway Suites 5

Back by popular demand and revised to be more hands on, this session helps you hone your video skills. Get your hands on some apps; shoot some video, and learn from Emmy award-winning veteran broadcast journalists. Put away your notepad, and come ready to laugh, learn and leave with tips you can use, whether working on your own or with a photographer. See how small cameras can help you aim for the heart, and make your stories more powerful.

• Mike Castellucci, Michigan State University
• Mark Muller, NBC Universal Local
• Wayne Carter, NBC Universal Local

Regency B

A student with learning disabilities graduated high school never learning to read. Parents were forced to sign nondisclosure agreements while seeking solutions for their children’s special needs. Trans students welcomed a Biden administration rule inclusive of gender dysphoria, but it prompted a broader attack on rights. Journalists who covered these stories share their reporting strategies and challenges. A legal expert also describes how major changes at the federal level may impact students with disabilities.

• Alice Abrokwa, University of Virginia
• Jessika Harkay, The Connecticut Mirror
• Mandy McLaren, The Boston Globe
• Marta Jewson, The Lens (New Orleans) (moderator)

Grand AB

As more local, state and federal policies and laws aim to restrict school discussion of race, racism and LGBTQ+ issues, research shows that some educators say they have curtailed their lessons on those topics while others say they will continue to teach their curricula regardless of any new constraints. But what do social studies lessons typically look like across the nation today, and what challenges – beyond restrictive laws – do history teachers often face?

• Tina Ellsworth, National Council for the Social Studies
• Brian Knowles, Power Builders Curriculum and Pedagogies
• Nick Kryczka, The Newberry Library (Illinois)
• Marianna McMurdock, independent journalist
• Sarah Schwartz, Education Week (moderator)

Midway Suites 6

Whether it’s dismantling the U.S. Department of Education under the pretense of giving states more control or threatening to pull funding over DEI initiatives, the endgame is clear: privatization. The push for school vouchers continues, despite overwhelming rejection by voters and sparse evidence that they improve student outcomes. This panel spotlights the ongoing resistance to vouchers led by parents, educators and voters. (Sponsored and organized by the National Education Association.)

• Jennifer Berkshire, author
• Kevin Dailey, Ballyshannon Middle School (Kentucky)
• Becky Pringle, National Education Association
• Arthur Jones II, ABC News (moderator)

What is the role of a university? They not only educate students and provide research hubs for scholars but can be a vital part of a local community. Washington University professors, students and deans discuss the evolving role of a college during a campus tour. Speakers  discuss initiatives that bolster the local economy, connect with adult learners, address health care needs and expand access. The tour is 75 minutes. Space is limited. 

Gary M. Sumers Welcome Center (University in, 1 Wrighton Way Washington, St. Louis, MO 63105)

Covering Children and Families 

Regency A

Journalists network and share resources for expanding coverage of children and families in education reporting. This conversation is open to journalists and community members. 

• Marie Holmes, independent journalist

Disabilities and Education Reporting

Regency B

How do educators talk about disability within education? How can journalists include disability in their reporting, no matter the angle?  Break into the topic, network, identify reporting angles and build community in this caucus. This conversation is open to journalists and community members. 

• Kenya Hunter, The Associated Press

Networking and Community for Asian American Journalists

Midway Suites 5

Journalists with shared and intersectional identities are invited to network, troubleshoot issues in the industry and build community with others on the education beat. This session is open to journalists only. 

• Aisha Sultan, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Networking and Community for Latinx Journalists

Midway Suites 7 & 8

Join this caucus to network, share resources and build community on covering Latinx communities. This conversation is open to journalists and community members. 

• Maritza Félix, Conecta Arizona 
• Beatriz Limón, Arizona Luminaria 

Student Journalists Are Education Reporters

Grand AB

Student journalists discuss the challenges of university-level reporting. Students discuss the obstacles they face and what solutions would help them as they consider entering the profession. This conversation is open to journalists and community members. 

• Tarryn Nichols, University of Florida
• Azia Ross, Howard University
• Steph Machado, The Boston Globe (moderator) 

Grand Staircase Prefunction/Midway East

Sponsored by American Federation of Teachers

Midway Suites 9 & 10

Sponsored by Carnegie Corporation of New York

Depot Registration Office

Grand Ballroom DEF

Grand Ballroom DEF

Regency B

Higher education is a busy beat these days. These sessions explore ongoing and new issues in higher education, including the landscape of campus protests and free speech, college finances amid threats to funding and the impending enrollment decline. Sessions explore strategies for in-depth reporting, expert analysis on emerging trends and story ideas. 

The Age of Protest, Identity and Culture on College Campuses 

9 a.m. – 10 a.m. 

Over the last decade, Black students and other students of color led college protests, demanding a reckoning of racial injustice and an inclusive environment. But recently, many schools implemented restrictive policies after students protested the Israel-Hamas war. Colleges are now under federal pressure to more forcefully police protests. How has the history of student activism informed protests of today? What approaches can reporters take to diversify sources and build better trust with them?        

• Lauren Brown, independent journalist
• Adam Harris, New America  
• Francisco Vara-Orta, Investigative Reporters and Editors                                          

Break

10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.

College Closures: Finding the Red Flags

10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. 

Colleges are facing financial challenges, and dozens have closed or merged in the past year. Some universities have undergone mergers and consolidations. How can journalists find red flags indicating the school they cover may be in financial trouble? Plus, learn how to better center students, report on solutions to the budgetary crisis and make sense of how recent threats to federal funding may put further pressure on college finances.

• Ricardo Azziz, Strategic Partnerships in Higher Education
• Robert Kelchen, University of Tennessee
• Eric Kelderman, The Chronicle of Higher Education (moderator)

Break

11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 

Who Is (and Isn’t) Going to College: Using Data In Reporting 

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 

The “demographic cliff” has been a looming concern for postsecondary education for nearly 20 years. There’s more to the story than the fact that fewer students are attending college. What kinds of enrollment stories can reporters uncover using data? The session gives reporters practical tips on how to source, pull and organize data as they cover crucial issues affecting enrollment – including attacks on DEI and student debt. 

• Colleen Falkenstern, Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education
• Nicole Smith, Center on Education and the Workforce at Georgetown University 
• Ira Porter, The Christian Science Monitor (moderator) 

Grand AB

There’s much data on the education beat – test scores, graduation rates, discipline, spending, curriculum, student demographics, teacher pay and more – that can point reporters toward countless stories. Data can be used to identify trends, call out disparities, dispel myths or highlight successes. Learning to incorporate data into your reporting is an essential skill. Hear about useful data sources and tools, practical tips, best practices and story ideas. 

Essential K-12 Data Sources – and How to Mine Them for Stories 

9 a.m. – 10 a.m. 

Getting data for a story is just the first step. Next comes the harder part: understanding and analyzing it. Researchers and think tanks have developed tools to help make sense of education data. They share data from different sources, allow for comparisons and make it easier to examine data across jurisdictions or demographic groups. Hear from experts about databases that can be used to tell stories on segregation, academic recovery and more. 

• Jay Carter, Urban Institute
• Sean Reardon, Stanford University 
• Denise-Marie Ordway, The Journalist’s Resource (moderator)

Break

10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m. 

Taking a Data-Driven Approach to Education Reporting 

10:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. 

Journalists with expertise in crunching and wrangling data to tell compelling stories share their tips. Understand how to incorporate data into your everyday reporting routines. Get advice on what to do when the data doesn’t exist or is incomplete. Learn about disappearing federal data and preservation efforts. Hear about data sources education reporters should regularly request and examine, and understand the stories they can point you toward.

• Corey Mitchell, The Conversation (moderator)

Part 1

10:15 a.m. – 11:15 a.m. 

• Francisco Vara-Orta, Investigative Reporters and Editors
• Irene Casado Sánchez, Big Local News
• Daniel Willis, EdSource

Break

11:15 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. 

Part 2

11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.

• Christopher Huffaker, The Boston Globe
• Kae Petrin, Chalkbeat
• Marina Villeneuve, The Hechinger Report

Grand Ballroom DEF