Alexander Russo
@alexanderrusso.bsky.social
Founder @thegrade_ and many other things. Author: Stray Dogs, Saints, and Savors. London-born, Chicago-raised, Brooklyn-based.
Hi @eshockmanwrites.bsky.social - I know you must be exhausted, but I'd love to bring your insights and experiences covering the Minneapolis ICE story to other journalists.
Here are some questions. A sentence is fine. I'm also asking @bzosiad.bsky.social, @bethhawkins.bsky.social, & others.
Here are some questions. A sentence is fine. I'm also asking @bzosiad.bsky.social, @bethhawkins.bsky.social, & others.
February 5, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Hi @eshockmanwrites.bsky.social - I know you must be exhausted, but I'd love to bring your insights and experiences covering the Minneapolis ICE story to other journalists.
Here are some questions. A sentence is fine. I'm also asking @bzosiad.bsky.social, @bethhawkins.bsky.social, & others.
Here are some questions. A sentence is fine. I'm also asking @bzosiad.bsky.social, @bethhawkins.bsky.social, & others.
Reposted by Alexander Russo
I talked with @alexanderrusso.bsky.social of The Grade recently about journalism's shaky present and uncertain future. I hope you'll watch and listen. alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/bridging-t...
The 'softness' of traditional day-to-day news
Watch now | Media columnist Dan Kennedy thinks legacy journalism needs to strengthen day-to-day news coverage and add nontraditional approaches — but not a wholesale reinvention.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 4:11 PM
I talked with @alexanderrusso.bsky.social of The Grade recently about journalism's shaky present and uncertain future. I hope you'll watch and listen. alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/bridging-t...
Reposted by Alexander Russo
I just got off the phone with Elizabeth's dad...she and her mom were freed tonight! Updated story: sahanjournal.com/education/co...
February 4, 2026 at 3:50 AM
I just got off the phone with Elizabeth's dad...she and her mom were freed tonight! Updated story: sahanjournal.com/education/co...
Reposted by Alexander Russo
@lilyalta.bsky.social has a great look at the rule and the issue. Oh and hey — @chalkbeat.org — good get hiring Lily!
2/
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ICE is ‘at the school yard gate.’ Here’s what it means that agents are getting closer.
One legal expert said even up until recently, “it would have been pretty unthinkable” for ICE to come onto school grounds like agents did at Roosevelt High in Minneapolis.
www.chalkbeat.org
February 5, 2026 at 3:46 PM
@lilyalta.bsky.social has a great look at the rule and the issue. Oh and hey — @chalkbeat.org — good get hiring Lily!
2/
2/
Reposted by Alexander Russo
My latest: Minnesota school districts, @educationmn.bsky.social go to court seeking reinstatement of the 'sensitive locations' rule, which would keep immigration enforcement actions away from schools, bus stops, churches, healthcare facilities, etc. Was the rule of the land for 30+ years
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Minnesota Districts, Teachers Union Sue Federal Government for Targeting Schools
Educators demand reinstatement of a decades-old policy prohibiting most immigration enforcement near ‘sensitive locations’ like schools and bus stops
www.the74million.org
February 5, 2026 at 3:44 PM
My latest: Minnesota school districts, @educationmn.bsky.social go to court seeking reinstatement of the 'sensitive locations' rule, which would keep immigration enforcement actions away from schools, bus stops, churches, healthcare facilities, etc. Was the rule of the land for 30+ years
1/
1/
Josh Snyder is the only mainstream reporter I know of who's covering school choice full-time, but I'm guessing he won't be the last.
NEW: Full-time reporting on school choice open.substack.com/pub/alexande...
NEW: Full-time reporting on school choice open.substack.com/pub/alexande...
Full-time reporting on school choice
The Democrat Gazette's Josh Snyder is the only full-time mainstream school choice reporter I know of. But as choice spreads, there are likely to be others.
open.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Josh Snyder is the only mainstream reporter I know of who's covering school choice full-time, but I'm guessing he won't be the last.
NEW: Full-time reporting on school choice open.substack.com/pub/alexande...
NEW: Full-time reporting on school choice open.substack.com/pub/alexande...
Reposted by Alexander Russo
@alexanderrusso.bsky.social Huge bones to pick with The Grade. Only only have you now blown off three weeks of my Minneapolis reporting, you don’t seem to recall that MPR and Elizabeth Shockman exist.
They’re tearing it up. You should be embarrassed.
They’re tearing it up. You should be embarrassed.
February 2, 2026 at 4:39 AM
@alexanderrusso.bsky.social Huge bones to pick with The Grade. Only only have you now blown off three weeks of my Minneapolis reporting, you don’t seem to recall that MPR and Elizabeth Shockman exist.
They’re tearing it up. You should be embarrassed.
They’re tearing it up. You should be embarrassed.
A former student's perspective on what it's like being part of a massive school exposé -- and what journalists need to know before they jump in:
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/what-its-l...
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/what-its-l...
January 27, 2026 at 5:36 PM
A former student's perspective on what it's like being part of a massive school exposé -- and what journalists need to know before they jump in:
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/what-its-l...
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/what-its-l...
"Doom is a warm blanket of helplessness that keeps you from the fight."
I’m watching friends succumb to doom watching what’s happening in Minnesota and I want to shake them and scream “Can’t you see the people organizing? Can’t you see them winning?”. Doom is a warm blanket of helplessness that keeps you from the fight.
doom is cope, everybody's saying it
January 23, 2026 at 5:11 PM
"Doom is a warm blanket of helplessness that keeps you from the fight."
📌 A wild but mixed first year for schools under Trump.
📌"I need my devices back to do my job."
NEW: Mixed Year 1 for Trump, a radicalized education reporter, & ‘the new white flight.’ - 🏆Best Education Journalism of the Week🏆(01/23/2026)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/mixed-year...
📌"I need my devices back to do my job."
NEW: Mixed Year 1 for Trump, a radicalized education reporter, & ‘the new white flight.’ - 🏆Best Education Journalism of the Week🏆(01/23/2026)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/mixed-year...
Mixed Year 1 for Trump, a radicalized education reporter, & ‘the new white flight.’ - 🏆Best Education Journalism of the Week🏆(01/23/2026)
All the best education journalism, media commentary, & newsroom changes.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
January 23, 2026 at 5:11 PM
📌 A wild but mixed first year for schools under Trump.
📌"I need my devices back to do my job."
NEW: Mixed Year 1 for Trump, a radicalized education reporter, & ‘the new white flight.’ - 🏆Best Education Journalism of the Week🏆(01/23/2026)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/mixed-year...
📌"I need my devices back to do my job."
NEW: Mixed Year 1 for Trump, a radicalized education reporter, & ‘the new white flight.’ - 🏆Best Education Journalism of the Week🏆(01/23/2026)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/mixed-year...
“I helped feed a lot of the narratives that we now see in the book have been so consequential and detrimental.” - @ericaLG
NEW: The radicalization of NYT reporter Erica Green alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-radica...
NEW: The radicalization of NYT reporter Erica Green alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-radica...
The radicalization of NYT reporter Erica Green
The former full-time education reporter describes how her new book is meant to counteract some of her own past coverage that helped perpetuate a destructive narratives.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
January 21, 2026 at 5:22 PM
“I helped feed a lot of the narratives that we now see in the book have been so consequential and detrimental.” - @ericaLG
NEW: The radicalization of NYT reporter Erica Green alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-radica...
NEW: The radicalization of NYT reporter Erica Green alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-radica...
Reposted by Alexander Russo
Not featured in this week’s Grade, alas, are two @the74.bsky.social stories from me, in Minneapolis, and my colleague @jonapolitano.bsky.social
In this week’s newsletter:
NEW: Remote in Minneapolis, FBI search, & 3 new education books: 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (01/16/2026)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/minneapoli...
NEW: Remote in Minneapolis, FBI search, & 3 new education books: 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (01/16/2026)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/minneapoli...
Remote in Minneapolis, FBI search, & 3 new education books: 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (01/16/2026)
All the best education journalism, media commentary, & newsroom changes.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:26 PM
Not featured in this week’s Grade, alas, are two @the74.bsky.social stories from me, in Minneapolis, and my colleague @jonapolitano.bsky.social
In this week’s newsletter:
NEW: Remote in Minneapolis, FBI search, & 3 new education books: 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (01/16/2026)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/minneapoli...
NEW: Remote in Minneapolis, FBI search, & 3 new education books: 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (01/16/2026)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/minneapoli...
Remote in Minneapolis, FBI search, & 3 new education books: 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (01/16/2026)
All the best education journalism, media commentary, & newsroom changes.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:11 PM
In this week’s newsletter:
NEW: Remote in Minneapolis, FBI search, & 3 new education books: 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (01/16/2026)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/minneapoli...
NEW: Remote in Minneapolis, FBI search, & 3 new education books: 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (01/16/2026)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/minneapoli...
“If something looks too good to be true, it probably is. And it’s okay to explore what’s really happening, no matter how the facade of a story makes you feel.”
NEW: An interview with the NYT's Katie Benner, co-author of MIRACLE CHILDREN.
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-necess...
NEW: An interview with the NYT's Katie Benner, co-author of MIRACLE CHILDREN.
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-necess...
The necessary discomfort of debunking a feel-good education story
“If something looks too good to be true, it probably is. And it’s okay to explore what’s really happening, no matter how the facade of a story makes you feel.”
alexanderrusso.substack.com
January 14, 2026 at 5:40 PM
“If something looks too good to be true, it probably is. And it’s okay to explore what’s really happening, no matter how the facade of a story makes you feel.”
NEW: An interview with the NYT's Katie Benner, co-author of MIRACLE CHILDREN.
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-necess...
NEW: An interview with the NYT's Katie Benner, co-author of MIRACLE CHILDREN.
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-necess...
NEW: All the best education journalism, media commentary, & newsroom changes.
Feds & Iowa, Florida failures, & parent-centered education coverage: 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (01/09/2026)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/federal-fu...
Feds & Iowa, Florida failures, & parent-centered education coverage: 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (01/09/2026)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/federal-fu...
Feds & Iowa, Florida failures, & parent-centered education coverage: 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (01/09/2026)
All the best education journalism, media commentary, & newsroom changes.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:12 PM
NEW: All the best education journalism, media commentary, & newsroom changes.
Feds & Iowa, Florida failures, & parent-centered education coverage: 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (01/09/2026)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/federal-fu...
Feds & Iowa, Florida failures, & parent-centered education coverage: 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (01/09/2026)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/federal-fu...
Reposted by Alexander Russo
This was a good bit of introspection, but I don't think the situation is quite so gloomy.
"Go to the best college you can get into *and graduate*" is still the single best form of upward mobility *at the individual level*, even if times are a bit tough right now for recent college grads.
"Go to the best college you can get into *and graduate*" is still the single best form of upward mobility *at the individual level*, even if times are a bit tough right now for recent college grads.
January 7, 2026 at 7:21 PM
This was a good bit of introspection, but I don't think the situation is quite so gloomy.
"Go to the best college you can get into *and graduate*" is still the single best form of upward mobility *at the individual level*, even if times are a bit tough right now for recent college grads.
"Go to the best college you can get into *and graduate*" is still the single best form of upward mobility *at the individual level*, even if times are a bit tough right now for recent college grads.
To regain reader trust, education journalists have to understand the myths that surround their work and to rethink traditional choices and approaches.
New from me: Why I became an education journalist — and how urgently the beat needs to change. alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/why-i-beca...
New from me: Why I became an education journalist — and how urgently the beat needs to change. alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/why-i-beca...
Why I became an education journalist — and how urgently the beat needs to change.
To regain reader trust in 2026 and beyond, education journalists have to understand the myths that surround their work and rethink traditional choices and approaches.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:04 PM
To regain reader trust, education journalists have to understand the myths that surround their work and to rethink traditional choices and approaches.
New from me: Why I became an education journalist — and how urgently the beat needs to change. alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/why-i-beca...
New from me: Why I became an education journalist — and how urgently the beat needs to change. alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/why-i-beca...
NEW: In Boston, a veteran reporter steps in where traditional news falls short alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/in-boston-...
In Boston, a veteran reporter steps in where traditional news falls short
Newsroom veteran Scott Van Voorhis is building an independent reporting and commentary enterprise with a special focus on education issues.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 2:18 PM
NEW: In Boston, a veteran reporter steps in where traditional news falls short alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/in-boston-...
Reposted by Alexander Russo
"However, an honest assessment of the past year suggests that the most immediate, real-world changes that students and schools have been experiencing have taken place at the state and local levels"
Assessing 2025, ‘you are not entitled to a response,’ & laughing reporters: 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (01/02/2026)
NEW: All the week's best education journalism, plus newsroom changes & juicy insights.
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/assessing-...
NEW: All the week's best education journalism, plus newsroom changes & juicy insights.
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/assessing-...
Assessing 2025, ‘you are not entitled to a response,’ & laughing reporters: 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (01/02/2026)
All the best education journalism of the week, plus newsroom comings & goings and juicy quotes.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:21 PM
"However, an honest assessment of the past year suggests that the most immediate, real-world changes that students and schools have been experiencing have taken place at the state and local levels"
Assessing 2025, ‘you are not entitled to a response,’ & laughing reporters: 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (01/02/2026)
NEW: All the week's best education journalism, plus newsroom changes & juicy insights.
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/assessing-...
NEW: All the week's best education journalism, plus newsroom changes & juicy insights.
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/assessing-...
Assessing 2025, ‘you are not entitled to a response,’ & laughing reporters: 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (01/02/2026)
All the best education journalism of the week, plus newsroom comings & goings and juicy quotes.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
January 2, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Assessing 2025, ‘you are not entitled to a response,’ & laughing reporters: 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (01/02/2026)
NEW: All the week's best education journalism, plus newsroom changes & juicy insights.
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/assessing-...
NEW: All the week's best education journalism, plus newsroom changes & juicy insights.
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/assessing-...
Year-end thanks to @greezbock.bsky.social, @kristajohnson.bsky.social, @laurapowellesq.bsky.social,
Kelsey Piper, Ekemini Ekpo, Alisha Thomas Searcy, and many others for their insights and contributions!
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-grades...
Kelsey Piper, Ekemini Ekpo, Alisha Thomas Searcy, and many others for their insights and contributions!
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-grades...
Essays, interviews, & commentary: The Grade's 7 best stories for 2025
Childhood poverty, blue-state literacy, & school choice surprises are among the featured topics, along with memorable essays on 'Abbott Elementary' and journalism's 'Sold a Story' problem.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
December 31, 2025 at 4:03 PM
Year-end thanks to @greezbock.bsky.social, @kristajohnson.bsky.social, @laurapowellesq.bsky.social,
Kelsey Piper, Ekemini Ekpo, Alisha Thomas Searcy, and many others for their insights and contributions!
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-grades...
Kelsey Piper, Ekemini Ekpo, Alisha Thomas Searcy, and many others for their insights and contributions!
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-grades...
Reposted by Alexander Russo
Hello, Bluesky!
Investigative series, books, plays, and even a TV series are all included in The Grade's annual roundup — a tradition going back to 2016:
The top 10 education stories of 2025 alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-top-10...
Investigative series, books, plays, and even a TV series are all included in The Grade's annual roundup — a tradition going back to 2016:
The top 10 education stories of 2025 alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-top-10...
The top 10 education stories of 2025
A definitive list of the year's most memorable stories, podcasts, books, and TV shows.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Hello, Bluesky!
Investigative series, books, plays, and even a TV series are all included in The Grade's annual roundup — a tradition going back to 2016:
The top 10 education stories of 2025 alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-top-10...
Investigative series, books, plays, and even a TV series are all included in The Grade's annual roundup — a tradition going back to 2016:
The top 10 education stories of 2025 alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-top-10...
Hello, Bluesky!
Investigative series, books, plays, and even a TV series are all included in The Grade's annual roundup — a tradition going back to 2016:
The top 10 education stories of 2025 alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-top-10...
Investigative series, books, plays, and even a TV series are all included in The Grade's annual roundup — a tradition going back to 2016:
The top 10 education stories of 2025 alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-top-10...
The top 10 education stories of 2025
A definitive list of the year's most memorable stories, podcasts, books, and TV shows.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Hello, Bluesky!
Investigative series, books, plays, and even a TV series are all included in The Grade's annual roundup — a tradition going back to 2016:
The top 10 education stories of 2025 alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-top-10...
Investigative series, books, plays, and even a TV series are all included in The Grade's annual roundup — a tradition going back to 2016:
The top 10 education stories of 2025 alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-top-10...
"The world is on fire, democracy is in disarray, and journalism has lost the public’s trust and attention. But there are still lots of good things happening on the education beat."
NEW from @alexanderrusso:
Thankful for education journalism: 2025 alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/thankful-f...
NEW from @alexanderrusso:
Thankful for education journalism: 2025 alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/thankful-f...
Thankful for education journalism: 2025
The world is on fire, democracy is in disarray, and journalism has lost the public’s trust and attention. But there are still lots of good things happening on the education beat.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:14 PM
"The world is on fire, democracy is in disarray, and journalism has lost the public’s trust and attention. But there are still lots of good things happening on the education beat."
NEW from @alexanderrusso:
Thankful for education journalism: 2025 alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/thankful-f...
NEW from @alexanderrusso:
Thankful for education journalism: 2025 alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/thankful-f...
“I think that when harnessed in a very positive way with the right guardrails, [private school choice] can provide better options for families," says DFER's Jorge Elorza.
The Democratic case for private school choice alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-democr...
The Democratic case for private school choice alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-democr...
The Democratic case for private school choice
A small handful of prominent Democrats want their allies to rethink opposition to private school choice and embrace newfound opportunities. But is the party ready?
alexanderrusso.substack.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:09 PM
“I think that when harnessed in a very positive way with the right guardrails, [private school choice] can provide better options for families," says DFER's Jorge Elorza.
The Democratic case for private school choice alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-democr...
The Democratic case for private school choice alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-democr...