Excellence in Online/Digital Journalism, Engagement

Alia Wong, “Chronic absenteeism outreach in AP's Education Reporting Network,” The Associated Press

ABOUT THE WORK: Chronic absenteeism – missing 10% or more of the school year – is one of the leading challenges in education today. The pandemic fundamentally changed families’ relationship to school, and students and parents now view attendance as more optional and less valuable to their development. Students who miss class struggle to make progress academically, especially crucial as math and reading achievement continues to lag pre-pandemic levels.

The Associated Press’ groundbreaking 2023 analysis of absenteeism levels ignited a national conversation in education and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in National Reporting. Reducing school absenteeism is now one of the top issues in education. Yet progress to improve attendance has been slow. So in 2024, we updated our state-by-state data to highlight the problem and worked to elevate creative solutions.

Alia Wong is a D.C.-based collaborations editor at the Associated Press, where she leads special projects and partnerships for the Education Reporting Network. She previously covered education for The Atlantic, USA TODAY and Honolulu Civil Beat. Her reporting has won awards from the Education Writers Association, the Society of Professional Journalists and the Best of the West competition. Alia is hapa Chinese and grew up in Honolulu, Hawai‘i.

Judges’ comments: “A great example of collaborative journalism. This project manages to report on a nation-wide problem but also zeroes in on solutions and innovations at a local level. This is a model of how a large organization can help empower local journalism.”

Honorable Mention: Ryan Nguyen, “Tunnel Vision,” The Seattle Times

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