Jun 13, 2023

Education journalism has changed considerably over the years. In what used to be a relatively calm beat, reporters now deal with school shootings, contentious board meetings and angry residents targeting them on social media. 

“This ain’t your mama’s education beat” as one reporter wryly put it.

While covering...

May 9, 2023

When trains block crossings, sometimes for days, communities across the country face challenges. Even if the blocked intersection is just four streets away from a location, first responders can't get to fires, parents can't go to grocery stores, and children can't get to school. 

Kids face physical, mental and emotional...

May 3, 2023

Early childhood is a critical time for a child's physical, cognitive, social and emotional development. 

Nurturing care is critical for brain growth, meaning a child's development is affected by their experiences and interactions with nurturing caregivers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. To...

Apr 26, 2023

For a while, Mirtha Donastorg was the only reporter covering Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) full time in the country. As a journalist at The Plug (a now defunct online publication), she covered innovations happening at the more than 100 HBCUs across the country and visited many campuses.

Donastorg...

Apr 12, 2023

Millions of families struggle with after-school care – the hours after the school day ends but before the workday finishes. 

Rachel Cohen of Vox Media found the after-school crisis is not limited to one city or state. Millions of families need care, yet thousands of school districts offer no options at all. Some...