Steve Reilly, an investigative reporter and data specialist for USA Today, talks with EWA public editor about his newspaper’s groundbreaking year-long project examining shortfalls in how states track, and share information, about teacher discipline and licensing issues.

Among the questions he answers: How do teachers who have committed serious offenses end up back in the classroom? Why isn’t a national database intended to track teacher discipline of more practical use? And how widely do state policies differ when it comes to assigning the responsibility for background checks of educators? Reilly also offers story ideas for local reporters covering teacher licensing issues in their own states.