EWA Caucus on Education Data: An Online Reporting Community

Data is a powerful tool in education reporting. It can help reporters identify trends or uncover disparities and be used to support or refute claims made by officials. Education data goes beyond test scores, and it can be utilized in reporting on countless topics, including student success, discipline, curriculum, spending and access to advanced courses.

But finding the data, understanding how to interpret it and figuring out how to mine it for story ideas can be challenging.

Various data tools developed by researchers, think tanks and education agencies serve as valuable resources in this work. These dashboards, trackers and web applications can help reporters – regardless of their level of experience – to dig into the data.

The Education Writers Association is offering an opportunity for journalists interested in learning about different education data tools and how they can be used to bolster reporting. We invite journalist members to apply for the EWA Caucus on Education Data, an online reporting community. From September through February 2025, participants will meet monthly to build their knowledge and skills, gaining insights from fellow journalists and national experts. 

The caucus also provides an opportunity to deepen ties among education reporters, to bond and network with like-minded peers. Above all, the goal is for participants to come away inspired, informed and better prepared to identify stories and produce compelling education coverage grounded in data. 

We anticipate a group of approximately 20 to 30 journalists will participate in these one-hour gatherings over six months. The caucus will meet the second Tuesday of each month at 1 p.m. Eastern on the following dates: Sept. 10, Oct. 8, Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 14 and Feb. 11.

Prior experience working with data is not required for this program. It’s open to all skill levels, including beginners.

The deadline to apply is Friday, Aug. 16.