It may come as a surprise to some that news coverage of particular topics -- science, international news, education -- is commonly subsidized by foundations and other organizations seeking additional coverage for a topic that might otherwise get lost in the shuffle.
Such is the case with the new Lumina Foundation-funded fellowship program for education reporters covering community colleges that’s recently been announced by the Hechinger Institute (here) for 15 interested journalists that includes a $7,500 stipend for some participants.
No doubt, coverage of community colleges is in many ways often inadequate. The trick, of course, is to beef up coverage without losing the critical eye that provides new information and insights. “Our mission is neither to tout community colleges nor to condemn them,” said Richard Lee Colvin, Director of the Hechinger Institute. “Rather, it is to help journalists tell the terrific stories yet to be told about this uniquely American educational enterprise.”