EDUCATION REPORTING

Judged by Jacques Steinberg, The New York Times

First Place
Jennifer Barrett and Lori Baker, The Arizona Republic, "Special Ed's Special Needs"

"I was drawn into [the winning] piece by three compelling lead anecdotes... Those details, in turn, flowed into a tight string of thesis paragraphs that effectively explained how school districts are struggling to provide services that parents can't afford... This article is a textbook example of education journalism at its best."

Second Place
Kelly Pearce and Melissa L. Jones, The Arizona Republic, "Beaucoup Prom Clues"

"Far and away the best feature in the education category. The voices of teenagers come through loud and clear, and each of them has a great story to tell. A fun read, with an obviously talented writer taking the reader along on any number of excursions with boys and girls in search of prom dates."

Third Place
Sarah Tully Tapia, The Arizona Daily Star, "Schools Closing"

"This writer clearly worked hard, and succeeded in unearthing an untold side effect of the charter school movement: the disservice done to students and parents by districts that overreach in opening far-away charters as a potential moneymaker."

Honorable Mention
Michael Kiefer, Phoenix New Times, "Sun City Disease"

"A valuable, exhaustive look at the players and politics of retirement communities that want out of the public school financing business. You can really hear the voices of the retirees."