Education Writers Association

“Ewa members are journalists, researchers, teachers, policy makers and others with an interest in improving the public discourse surrounding education at all levels. Ewa has four categories of membership. Journalist membership is open to individuals whose primary professional activities involve reporting, writing, producing, editing, or otherwise preparing the news and editorial content of independent news media products. The definition of journalist also includes freelancers whose primary body of work is for independent news media, staffers at press associations or journalism education associations, journalism instructors, and journalism students. Community membership is open to anyone who does not meet the definition of journalist member but is interested in advancing education journalism. This includes reporters and writers for education organizations and institutions; educators; public information officers; education policymakers; and others interested in improving coverage of education to create a better-informed public. Student membership shall be open to students who aspire to a career in reporting or interpreting education. Honorary membership may be extended by majority vote of the board of directors to individuals who have rendered exceptional service to the purposes of this organization. Honorary members shall not be charged dues. The board of directors has established one sub-categories of community membership. Supporting community membership offers special benefits and opportunities to become involved in our mission. For our supporting community, we offer a suite of benefits, services and opportunities including the opportunity to be eligible to attend our flagship national seminar.”

“Members have the ability to elect officers of the board, nominate alternative officers to the board and have the ability to propose amendments to the by-laws including a provision to institute these amendments without board approval. Nomination of officers section 1.1 a) the president shall annually appoint a nominating committee. B) the nominating committee shall prepare a slate of officers which should be sent to the membership at large at least sixty days before the officers' terms begin. All candidates for board officer positions must be current board members. Board officers shall be elected according to the provisions in article vi, section 1.1. C) additional candidates may be nominated by any three members in good standing. These nominations must be solicited not later than sixty days, and must be received not later than forty days, before the officers' terms begin. D) board officer positions vacated before the end of the term will be filled according to board policies. Election of officers section 1.1 following expiration of the nominating period, if there are additional nominations to the slate of officers, the nominating committee shall prepare a ballot, listing all candidates for office, which shall be sent to all members at least thirty days before the annual membership meeting. The results, determined by a plurality of those voting, shall be announced in the association's publications. In those cases where no additional nominations are received by the nominating committee, the slate nominated by the nominating committee shall be declared elected.”

“Amendments to the bylaws amendments may be proposed by the board of directors and adopted by a majority vote of the board of directors. Amendments may also be proposed by petition of at least 25 percent of ewa members calling for a vote on the proposed amendments. Member-proposed amendments not approved by the board shall require a majority vote of the membership for approval.”

“The executive director reviews the 990 tax return upon receipt from the preparer. Once the 990 is approved internally, the 990 is forwarded to the chair of the audit committee for review. Once approved by the committee chair, the executive director then signs the return.”

“The organization annually reviews the conflict of interest policy at the reorganization meeting with the board of directors and key employees, and requires disclosure of any interests that may present a conflict of interest.”

“The executive director's compensation is reviewed annually by the board of directors at their board meeting regarding compensation.”

“These documents and policies are provided upon request.”

“As the national professional organization for media professionals covering education, ewa has supported journalists for over 75 years. Today, its members benefit from high-quality programs, training, information, support, and recognition. Ewas long-term vision is driven by the belief that: excellent education journalism fosters informed citizens and leaders. Informed citizens and leaders make better decisions about education. Better decisions lead to improved student outcomes and a more participatory society. High-quality education journalism plays a crucial role in improving education. Strengthening the skills of education writers, supporting their work, and raising the prominence of the education beat are central to ewas mission. Quality journalism results in a more informed public, thereby strengthening education for all. Ewa organizational values: quality: ewa helps members produce the highest-quality coverage to foster public awareness and engagement. Community: ewa builds connections among professionals covering education, promoting collaboration, learning, and high standards of journalism. Professionalism: ewa emphasizes fairness, accuracy, transparency, and independence in covering education issues. Diversity: ewa advocates for diversity in education writers, issues, and perspectives, striving to serve a broad range of education content creators. Membership ewas largest membership category includes reporters, editors, and journalism professors whose primary work is in independent news media. Ewa also offers student and community memberships, with most community members employed as communications professionals in the field of education. Ewas staff includes veteran education journalists and editors with decades of experience in reporting and editing education-related stories. Training and events ewa offers a robust calendar of online and in-person training and events designed to bolster journalists skills in covering the u.s. Education sector, from early years through adulthood. National seminar: a three-day flagship event that addresses key education issues and provides skill-building sessions. Hundreds of journalists and education communicators attend annually. The seminar also features awards for excellence in education reporting. Higher education seminar: a smaller annual event focused on postsecondary education, offering both issue-based discussions and practical skills sessions for journalists. Diving into data workshops: intensive, hands-on workshops aimed at improving journalists ability to use data in their reporting, with customized coaching on specific datasets. Webinars: ewa offers interactive online events on education topics and journalistic skills. These free, accessible sessions provide high-quality content without the need for travel. Professional learning communities: virtual learning programs that bring members together regularly over months to discuss significant education issues. Customized support ewa reporting fellowships: financial awards and assistance for journalists to undertake ambitious education reporting projects. Since 2016, ewa has supported a wide range of journalistic endeavors with these fellowships. Customized coaching: ewas public editor offers free, confidential coaching to journalists needing assistance with producing high-quality education coverage or advancing their careers. Recognition national awards for education reporting: an annual competition recognizing excellence in education journalism across various categories, with the top prize being the fred m. Hechinger grand prize for distinguished education reporting. The ronald moskowitz prize recognizes the best education beat reporter. Online resources ewas website (ewa.org) provides extensive resources for members, including information about governance, membership, event registration, expert directories, and more. It also hosts educational resources on key issues, blog posts, and ewa radio, a podcast featuring interviews with”