Education Blog

Education and the Media

Mark Walsh is a contributing writer to Education Week. He has covered education issues for more than two decades and in this blog looked at how schools are covered in the general news media and in the popular culture. This blog is no longer being updated.

Education 'Teach Us All' Documentary Looks at Racial Inequities in Schools
The film available on Netflix examines racial inequality in schools 60 years after nine black students integrated Central High School in Little Rock, Ark.
Mark Walsh, September 27, 2017
3 min read
Education Dave Chappelle's Emmy Shout-Out Welcomed by D.C. Public Schools
The comic's mention of his school district on the awards telecast goes viral on Twitter and attracts some distinctly different reactions.
Mark Walsh, September 19, 2017
1 min read
Education New and Returning Netflix, HBO Shows Offer Dark Comic Takes on High School
Netflix's "#RealityHigh" and "American Vandal," and the return of HBO's "Vice Principals," present a contrast to star-studded back-to-school specials.
Mark Walsh, September 14, 2017
4 min read
Education Star-Studded TV Special Entertains While Focusing on Improving U.S. High Schools
The "XQ Super School Live" special took over four broadcast TV networks to focus attention on projects that seek to remake the American high school.
Mark Walsh, September 11, 2017
6 min read
Education New York Times Magazine Education Issue Leads Back-to-School Coverage Flurry
September is a time for enterprising magazine coverage about education issues, including in The Times, Harper's, and The Nation.
Mark Walsh, September 8, 2017
3 min read
Education Four Networks to Air 'XQ Super School Live' Education Special on Friday
The Hollywood-produced show aims to focus on efforts to improve American high schools, and to entertain young viewers with comedy and music.
Mark Walsh, September 7, 2017
3 min read
Education Public TV's 'POV' Series to Air Intimate Documentary About Rural Education
"Raising Bertie," about three African-American boys in Bertie County, N.C., airs on the PBS documentary series "POV" Monday night.
Mark Walsh, August 28, 2017
1 min read
Education ESPN Documentary Tells a Nearly 'Lost' Story of Texas High School Football
"What Carter Lost" looks at a Dallas high school's controversy-filled ride through the Texas state football playoffs in 1988.
Mark Walsh, August 23, 2017
4 min read
Education 'Atypical,' About a High-Functioning Teen With Autism, Attracts Mixed Reactions
The Netflix show is about an 18-year-old high school student on the autism spectrum becoming self-aware of the need to move into adulthood.
Mark Walsh, August 18, 2017
5 min read
Education EPE Announces Journalism Fellowship in Honor of Retiring Education Week Editor
Longtime Education Week Executive Editor Gregory M. Chronister is retiring this week, and the journalism fellowship will go to support education reporting.
Mark Walsh, August 3, 2017
2 min read
Education Web Searches on Suicide Rose After '13 Reasons Why' Release, Study Says
Researchers say that internet searches for information about suicide spiked 19 percent during the period immediately after the popular but controversial Netflix series debuted.
Mark Walsh, August 1, 2017
3 min read
Education Education-Focused Emerson Collective to Acquire Majority Stake in The Atlantic
The philanthropic organization founded by Laurene Powell Jobs gains a minority stake in the venerable magazine, whose digital site includes an active education channel.
Mark Walsh, July 31, 2017
2 min read
Education Race and Ethnicity Is Top Diversity Issue for Education Journalists
A survey of Education Writers Association members finds that many see racial and ethnic diversity as the highest priority for covering the field.
Mark Walsh, July 17, 2017
3 min read
Education 'Megyn Kelly' Show Features First Network Interview With Betsy DeVos
The NBC News magazine show got the exclusive with DeVos, but didn't really make the most if it, in a report about charter schools.
Mark Walsh, July 10, 2017
2 min read