Chalkbeat Colorado wins two national education reporting prizes

A Chalkbeat investigation on Denver’s principal turnover and a close look at the past and present struggles of Manual High School won recognition from the Education Writers Association, the reporters’ organization today.

Kate Schimel’s “The Revolving Schoolhouse Door,” examined years of principal turnover data in Denver and found that turnover was highest at schools where intense reform efforts were underway. The article won first place for investigative reporting in the small newsroom division in the association’s annual reporting contest.

Schimel, Nic Garcia, and Alan Gottlieb were also recognized for their coverage of Manual High School. Manual is the city’s lowest performing high school and has been subject to a series of high-profile reform efforts. The series “A Promise Unfulfilled” and additional coverage by Gottlieb were named a finalist in the single topic news or feature category.

EWA is the professional organization for journalists who cover education at all levels. EWA has more than 3,000 members and has existed for 65 years.