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Covering Back to School

Covering Back to School. Phyllis Fletcher, KUOW Public Radio, Broadcast Beat Reporting. Tips for E ducation Reporters.

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Covering Back to School

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  1. Covering Back to School Phyllis Fletcher, KUOW Public Radio, Broadcast Beat Reporting

  2. Tips for Education Reporters • Scooped on a big and developing story? Don’t give up early, and don’t be discouraged. Do as much original reporting as you can, and attribute the big scoop to the outlet that beat you. • Your listeners/viewers/readers just want the information. If you missed part of it a long time ago, you can report that too. • As the story develops, stay on it. It may get strange; it may veer from your beat.

  3. Tips for Education Reporters • Don’t avoid talking about race and class. On this beat, you have to. Do it frankly and simply.  • When an audit is released, file a public records request for the “working papers” right away. That’s where names, invoices, receipts, and interview logs are. • Think about different ways to deliver the news. Is the story a long piece? A short one? Tape and copy for the newscaster? • Use social media. Details that didn’t quite fit into a story can be fun “cutting room floor” bits on Twitter.

  4. Tips for Eduation Reporters • You don’t have to know everything. But try to know—or have the desire to know—at least as much as the people you cover. Want to learn from them • Consider the “customers” on your beat (parents and students) just as valid sources as teachers, administrators, academics, and watchdogs. • Collaborate with colleagues at other outlets, especially in other media! You can each help different parts of the story sing. • Have fun with stories that are fun! As Dr. Seuss wrote, “these things are fun, and fun is good.” 

  5. Tips for Education Reporters • Conceive of a photo for each story, and try to take one.  Your outlet will not post them all, but taking them will help you learn.  Build your own library of stock photos of the people and places you cover.

  6. Tips for Education Reporters • Get kids, parents, and teachers into your stories! And other staff members at a school.  They all see different aspects of the education system every day. • Treat administrators and spokespersons like people. They are people. • Try to further your own education. We’re education reporters, right?  We’re into learning!  Afraid of numbers?  Take a math class, or a class that applies math in a way that would help your coverage—like demography, finance, or accounting. 

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