Comments on: Education reporter study results show reporters need more training

By: Meranda Writes » Blog Archive » ‘I guess that means I’m doing my job right’

Wed, 28 May 2008 02:16:43 +0000

[…] I noted on one of Kate Martin’s posts about a recent survey of education reporters (to which I actually responded), I am very indebted to […]

By: Kimmy

Kimmy — Tue, 06 May 2008 04:52:16 +0000

All I can say is that it took time and time and time. It took years and years of time, in the trenches and at the state level. And, like Meranda, I sat at the feet of really smart people. i think I lucked into covering some of the most progressive districts. Now, when I cover state policy, it all make sa whole lot more sense. But it’s been 20 years.

By: Kate Martin

Kate Martin — Sat, 03 May 2008 13:45:56 +0000

I agree with many of your points, including how to organize the beat. God I can’t imagine covering 26 districts. I have seven in my coverage area, and at my first paper, there was one (big district though). It was really intimidating when I got to this paper, because my editors told me they wanted me to create a model for how the paper covers education into the future. I had never covered education before in my life, unless you count college sports I literally knew nothing. Maybe there’s a reason they wanted to start with a blank slate.

So far this year, I’ve changed how we’re going to cover graduations, and I’m excited and scared at the same time. I’ll post it after it’s run, but that’s a good month away.

By: Meranda

Meranda — Sat, 03 May 2008 02:52:17 +0000

I saw this study, and actually took the survey.

My training on this beat consisted of being shown where my desk was and told the names of counties we cover (which helped me determine the 26 districts in my coverage area). My editor showed me the state DOE Web site, forwarded some press releases and agendas, and that was pretty much it to get me off the ground.

I’ve already decided when I leave this beat, it will be done in a more thoughtful manner than the person from whom I inherited it. That is, I’ll leave behind a beat cheat sheet. Who’s who, who to call for what and when, secretary’s names, when school boards meet, etc. etc. Yes, I’m probably stronger for having started quite literally at zero, but imagine how much further I could have gotten by now if I’d started even at 1?

I also agree with your statement that the people doing the training are the school administrators. THANK GOD I came into a city with experienced administrators. I landed with people with decades of experience leading their districts. It also helps that educators are well, good at educating people. They’ve been very patient when I struggle with a concept they’ve probably explained to my half-dozen predecessors. But, I think they also appreciate my willingness to ask and not assume.

That said, now that I’ve been here nearly a year and a half, I am starting to come back around to stories I brushed last year. It’s amazing what just a year of perspective does. I am able to fully see the big picture now and where each story I find and tell fits in.

I once told a professor I thought I’d hate the education beat. Today, there isn’t another beat at my paper I’d rather be covering. I think that’s a good sign.