Research
Cohort
About 10-12 spots are available in the 2024 research cohort.
Reporting With Education Research Program
What’s fueling soaring rates of student absenteeism, and what does the research show about efforts to combat the crisis? How is artificial intelligence changing classroom teaching and learning, and where do researchers see both promise and peril? Where can you find the latest data for your next education story?
If you have ever asked yourself these questions – or think now is a good time to start – we’ve got just the program for you!
The Education Writers Association is accepting applications to join our 2024 Reporting With Education Research cohort.
Participants will:
- Join a virtual community with fellow journalists (and expert presenters), meeting four times in October for 75-minute, interactive workshops;
- Connect in small groups with leading education researchers;
- Receive one-on-one coaching from a working journalist with extensive experience reporting with education research.
The deadline to apply is Friday, Sept. 13. Please read our FAQs and eligibility requirements below. APPLICATIONS CLOSED.
FAQs
- Eligibility is a benefit of EWA membership, which is free for qualifying journalists.
- The cohort is limited to 10-12 participants, selected through an application process. Journalists with at least two years of experience covering education will be given priority consideration.
- While the discussions will include some research related to postsecondary education, this opportunity is geared toward reporters who are primarily covering K-12 education issues, or a combination of K-12 and higher education.
- Participants should bring a topic or issue on which they’d like to get smarter about the relevant research, and they will receive targeted support to turn that idea into a first-rate story.
We will meet for 75-minute workshops on four Tuesdays in October. See the full schedule below. Please note that the first meeting has an earlier start time, and all times are Eastern time.
- Tuesday, Oct. 1, 1:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2 p.m.
- Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2 p.m.
Applicants are asked to participate in all four sessions. In addition to our featured speakers, we’ll have breakout activities and interactions with our journalist coaches.
This is also an opportunity to build your community of peers – which will benefit you long after the final cohort meeting!
In addition to bringing a wealth of new story ideas back to your newsroom, you’ll gain important knowledge and skills, such as understanding test scores and measurements and evaluating education research through an equity lens.
Participating in the cohort will help with the challenges of the daily beat and prepare you for more in-depth assignments.
Two workshops will focus more on K-12 (student absenteeism and teacher workforce).
The other two workshops will benefit reporters covering both K-12 and higher ed (understanding educational measurements, and the perils and promise of AI).
We welcome applications from all journalist members, regardless of your beat assignment. Even if you don’t focus on K-12 issues now, having an understanding of these core issues might be helpful later on.
Complete the brief online application by Friday, Sept. 13. This is a small cohort, (10-12 reporters). We will let applicants know their status by Friday, Sept. 20.
- Email: ewa@ewa.org
FAQs
Cohort Agenda
The cohort will meet virtually on four Tuesdays in October. Each workshop will be 75 minutes.
Tuesday, Oct. 1 | 1:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m. Eastern
Workshop 1: This is Only a Test: Understanding Educational Measurements and Avoiding Common Mistakes When Using Research
How do you “interview” a piece of education research? What questions should you ask about the methodology, the subjects and the researchers themselves? This session will provide a primer for the convenings, and an opportunity to meet your cohort and coaches.
- Matt Barnum, The Wall Street Journal
- Andrew Ho, Harvard University
Tuesday, Oct. 8 | 2 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Eastern
Workshop 2: What the Data Really Says About Teachers
Researchers will help reporters understand what’s driving a national teacher shortage and the caveats that come with the evidence. Also, what are the long-term impacts on student learning of having a teacher of the same race?
- Emma García, Learning Policy Institute
- Constance Lindsay, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Tuesday, Oct. 22 | 2 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Eastern
Workshop 3: The Truth About Absenteeism (The Associated Press, Thomas Dee collaboration will be spotlighted)
We’ll help reporters understand how to look at absenteeism in their own school districts within a national context. Where are students going? What’s the scoop on the surge in homeschooling? What’s proven to work in bringing students back, and why aren’t more districts following suit?
- Joshua Childs, The University of Texas at Austin
- Thomas Dee, Stanford University
Tuesday, Oct. 29 | 2 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Eastern
Workshop 4: Educational Technology and Equity
How do ethics and educational equity come into play when evaluating the growing push to incorporate A.I. into both classroom teaching and learning, and STEM education? What are the challenges posed by A.I. for teaching and learning, the intersections of ed tech and social justice, and the impact of data mining of student records?
- Marie Heath, Loyola University Maryland
- Sepehr Vakil, Northwestern University
Photo credit: olly2/Bigstock
