Alexander Russo
@alexanderrusso.bsky.social
Founder @thegrade_ and many other things. Author: Stray Dogs, Saints, and Savors. London-born, Chicago-raised, Brooklyn-based.
“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...
A new report from Bellwether's Nora Weber & others confirms that national education news is losing its identity. But there's at least one viable alternative.
NEW: What to do about the mismatch between education news & education? alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/more-schoo...
NEW: What to do about the mismatch between education news & education? alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/more-schoo...
November 3, 2025 at 5:44 PM
A new report from Bellwether's Nora Weber & others confirms that national education news is losing its identity. But there's at least one viable alternative.
NEW: What to do about the mismatch between education news & education? alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/more-schoo...
NEW: What to do about the mismatch between education news & education? alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/more-schoo...
“They were talking about feminism, suicide, and all of these things that I don’t see when I’m in a public school classroom,” says Griesbach. “So that kind of shocked me.”
Surprises a reporter experiences inside a newly-opened private school in Alabama alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/surprises-...
Surprises a reporter experiences inside a newly-opened private school in Alabama alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/surprises-...
Surprises a reporter experiences inside a newly-opened private school in Alabama
An interview with veteran AL.com reporter Rebecca Griesbach about getting inside a state-funded private school and surprises she experienced during her visit.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:23 PM
“They were talking about feminism, suicide, and all of these things that I don’t see when I’m in a public school classroom,” says Griesbach. “So that kind of shocked me.”
Surprises a reporter experiences inside a newly-opened private school in Alabama alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/surprises-...
Surprises a reporter experiences inside a newly-opened private school in Alabama alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/surprises-...
NEW: School-based sexual misconduct is much more widespread than many imagine.
But a steady drumbeat of media coverage can help persuade lawmakers and school officials to keep more kids safe.
From @enoughabuse's Jetta Bernier:
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/how-journa...
But a steady drumbeat of media coverage can help persuade lawmakers and school officials to keep more kids safe.
From @enoughabuse's Jetta Bernier:
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/how-journa...
How journalists can help prevent sexual misconduct in schools
School-based sexual misconduct is much more widespread than many imagine. A steady drumbeat of high-quality media coverage can help persuade lawmakers and school officials to keep more kids safe.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
October 15, 2025 at 5:43 PM
NEW: School-based sexual misconduct is much more widespread than many imagine.
But a steady drumbeat of media coverage can help persuade lawmakers and school officials to keep more kids safe.
From @enoughabuse's Jetta Bernier:
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/how-journa...
But a steady drumbeat of media coverage can help persuade lawmakers and school officials to keep more kids safe.
From @enoughabuse's Jetta Bernier:
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/how-journa...
Louisville's integration program "looked good on paper, but it didn’t work well," according to @KristaJ1993, who reflects on what mattered most to her when she was a kid growing up poor in Iowa.
NEW: Rethinking integration & reflecting on childhood experiences
open.substack.com/pub/alexande...
NEW: Rethinking integration & reflecting on childhood experiences
open.substack.com/pub/alexande...
Rethinking integration & reflecting on childhood experiences
Louisville's program "looked good on paper, but it didn’t work well," according to reporter Krista Johnson, who reflects on what mattered most when she was a kid growing up poor in Davenport, Iowa.
open.substack.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Louisville's integration program "looked good on paper, but it didn’t work well," according to @KristaJ1993, who reflects on what mattered most to her when she was a kid growing up poor in Iowa.
NEW: Rethinking integration & reflecting on childhood experiences
open.substack.com/pub/alexande...
NEW: Rethinking integration & reflecting on childhood experiences
open.substack.com/pub/alexande...
The hit TV mockumentary is stubbornly optimistic — and that’s not a bad thing, writes contributor Ekemini Ekpo:
In defense of 'Abbott Elementary'
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/in-defense...
In defense of 'Abbott Elementary'
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/in-defense...
In defense of 'Abbott Elementary'
The hit TV mockumentary about an under-resourced Philadelphia public school is stubbornly optimistic — and that’s not a bad thing.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
October 1, 2025 at 8:11 PM
The hit TV mockumentary is stubbornly optimistic — and that’s not a bad thing, writes contributor Ekemini Ekpo:
In defense of 'Abbott Elementary'
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/in-defense...
In defense of 'Abbott Elementary'
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/in-defense...
Reposted by Alexander Russo
Yes! And we'd love any coverage too. You just have to RSVP journalism.columbia.edu/events
Events | Columbia Journalism School
journalism.columbia.edu
September 24, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Yes! And we'd love any coverage too. You just have to RSVP journalism.columbia.edu/events
Video-first reporting for education journalists
Oliva Krauth on getting started with video-first journalism — even if you don't like being on camera. The latest in our series on innovations, nontraditional voices, & emerging platforms.
open.substack.com/pub/alexande...?
Oliva Krauth on getting started with video-first journalism — even if you don't like being on camera. The latest in our series on innovations, nontraditional voices, & emerging platforms.
open.substack.com/pub/alexande...?
Ins & outs of video-first education journalism
Oliva Krauth on getting started with video-first journalism — even if you don't like being on camera. The latest in our series on innovations, nontraditional voices, & emerging platforms.
open.substack.com
September 24, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Video-first reporting for education journalists
Oliva Krauth on getting started with video-first journalism — even if you don't like being on camera. The latest in our series on innovations, nontraditional voices, & emerging platforms.
open.substack.com/pub/alexande...?
Oliva Krauth on getting started with video-first journalism — even if you don't like being on camera. The latest in our series on innovations, nontraditional voices, & emerging platforms.
open.substack.com/pub/alexande...?
Charlie Kirk backlash, voucher growing pains in FL, & a school-focused 'Subway Takes' (finally!) - 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (09/19/25) alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-charli...
The Charlie Kirk backlash, voucher growing pains in FL, & a school-focused 'Subway Takes'
🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (09/19/25)
alexanderrusso.substack.com
September 19, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Charlie Kirk backlash, voucher growing pains in FL, & a school-focused 'Subway Takes' (finally!) - 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (09/19/25) alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/the-charli...
One reporter's efforts to end 'passing the trash' in California schools
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/one-report...
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/one-report...
One reporter's efforts to end 'passing the trash' in California schools
If California finally joins other states in passing comprehensive reform against school sexual assault, investigative reporter Matt Drange will have had a lot to do with it.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
September 18, 2025 at 8:18 PM
One reporter's efforts to end 'passing the trash' in California schools
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/one-report...
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/one-report...
Reposted by Alexander Russo
Wildly misleading headline alert!
Hed: Efforts to fund schools more equitably actually worsened racial inequality
Article: States’ equity-focused school funding reform worked! But racial inequality grew anyway for other reasons (and b/c of differences b/n states).
www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
Hed: Efforts to fund schools more equitably actually worsened racial inequality
Article: States’ equity-focused school funding reform worked! But racial inequality grew anyway for other reasons (and b/c of differences b/n states).
www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
How Efforts to Fund Schools More Equitably Actually Worsened Racial Inequality
Researchers examined three decades of school finance reforms in 40 states.
www.edweek.org
September 17, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Wildly misleading headline alert!
Hed: Efforts to fund schools more equitably actually worsened racial inequality
Article: States’ equity-focused school funding reform worked! But racial inequality grew anyway for other reasons (and b/c of differences b/n states).
www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
Hed: Efforts to fund schools more equitably actually worsened racial inequality
Article: States’ equity-focused school funding reform worked! But racial inequality grew anyway for other reasons (and b/c of differences b/n states).
www.edweek.org/policy-polit...
If California finally joins other states in passing comprehensive reform against school sexual assault, investigative reporter @mattdrange will have had a lot to do with it.
NEW: One reporter's efforts to end 'passing the trash' in California schools alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/one-report...
NEW: One reporter's efforts to end 'passing the trash' in California schools alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/one-report...
One reporter's efforts to end 'passing the trash' in California schools
If California finally joins other states in passing comprehensive reform against school sexual assault, investigative reporter Matt Drange will have had a lot to do with it.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
September 17, 2025 at 4:27 PM
If California finally joins other states in passing comprehensive reform against school sexual assault, investigative reporter @mattdrange will have had a lot to do with it.
NEW: One reporter's efforts to end 'passing the trash' in California schools alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/one-report...
NEW: One reporter's efforts to end 'passing the trash' in California schools alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/one-report...
Reposted by Alexander Russo
From @alexanderrusso.bsky.social: Jon Haidt is going to be contributing to the education page at Bari Weiss’s The Free Press.
So maybe we can all take Haidt with a much, much larger gain of salt now?
And here’s a nuanced critique of Haidt’s Anxious Generation to send to all your friends.
So maybe we can all take Haidt with a much, much larger gain of salt now?
And here’s a nuanced critique of Haidt’s Anxious Generation to send to all your friends.
Is Jonathan Haidt right about smartphones?
In ‘The Anxious Generation’, Haidt makes the case that social media and smartphones have ‘rewired’ today’s teenagers, but his critics say the evidence tells us something very different - and that bann...
www.tes.com
September 6, 2025 at 3:13 PM
From @alexanderrusso.bsky.social: Jon Haidt is going to be contributing to the education page at Bari Weiss’s The Free Press.
So maybe we can all take Haidt with a much, much larger gain of salt now?
And here’s a nuanced critique of Haidt’s Anxious Generation to send to all your friends.
So maybe we can all take Haidt with a much, much larger gain of salt now?
And here’s a nuanced critique of Haidt’s Anxious Generation to send to all your friends.
"This school where I was teaching had massive curriculum flaws… But the kids were genuinely happy." -
Inside the Harper's magazine story about teaching at an ESA-funded micro-school alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/a-student-...
Inside the Harper's magazine story about teaching at an ESA-funded micro-school alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/a-student-...
Inside the Harper's magazine story about teaching at an ESA-funded micro-school
As Harper's contributor Chandler Fritz explains, private school choice looks a lot different when takes readers inside the classroom and focuses on student experiences.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
September 3, 2025 at 4:34 PM
"This school where I was teaching had massive curriculum flaws… But the kids were genuinely happy." -
Inside the Harper's magazine story about teaching at an ESA-funded micro-school alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/a-student-...
Inside the Harper's magazine story about teaching at an ESA-funded micro-school alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/a-student-...
Reposted by Alexander Russo
My journalism career began when I responded to a Craigslist ad seeking a team of reporters to cover New Orleans charter school boards for $50 per meeting.
The Lens' Charter School Reporting Corps monitored adherence to sunshine laws during the rapid expansion of charter schools. We set the tone.
The Lens' Charter School Reporting Corps monitored adherence to sunshine laws during the rapid expansion of charter schools. We set the tone.
NEW: Disaster, decentralization, & the slow climb back to school transparency
"We were the enforcers of public meetings law." - The Lens' @martajewson.bsky.social
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/disaster-d...
"We were the enforcers of public meetings law." - The Lens' @martajewson.bsky.social
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/disaster-d...
August 27, 2025 at 5:12 PM
My journalism career began when I responded to a Craigslist ad seeking a team of reporters to cover New Orleans charter school boards for $50 per meeting.
The Lens' Charter School Reporting Corps monitored adherence to sunshine laws during the rapid expansion of charter schools. We set the tone.
The Lens' Charter School Reporting Corps monitored adherence to sunshine laws during the rapid expansion of charter schools. We set the tone.
NEW: Disaster, decentralization, & the slow climb back to school transparency
"We were the enforcers of public meetings law." - The Lens' @martajewson.bsky.social
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/disaster-d...
"We were the enforcers of public meetings law." - The Lens' @martajewson.bsky.social
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/disaster-d...
August 27, 2025 at 5:07 PM
NEW: Disaster, decentralization, & the slow climb back to school transparency
"We were the enforcers of public meetings law." - The Lens' @martajewson.bsky.social
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/disaster-d...
"We were the enforcers of public meetings law." - The Lens' @martajewson.bsky.social
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/disaster-d...
Inside an ESA-funded microschool, a foster kid success story, & hot times in Houston -
🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (08/22/2025)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/inside-an-...
🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (08/22/2025)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/inside-an-...
Inside an ESA-funded microschool, a foster kid success story, & hot times in Houston
🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (08/22/2025)
alexanderrusso.substack.com
August 24, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Inside an ESA-funded microschool, a foster kid success story, & hot times in Houston -
🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (08/22/2025)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/inside-an-...
🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (08/22/2025)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/inside-an-...
Reposted by Alexander Russo
Even in our public schools, foster kids are mostly invisible.
Gratefiul to @alexanderrusso.bsky.social at The Grade for posting this excerpt from my new book, WARDS OF THE STATE, which shows how much impact one person can have.
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/45f6acd7-a...
Gratefiul to @alexanderrusso.bsky.social at The Grade for posting this excerpt from my new book, WARDS OF THE STATE, which shows how much impact one person can have.
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/45f6acd7-a...
Alexander Russo's The Grade
Taking a Closer Look at Education News. Click to read Alexander Russo's The Grade, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.
alexanderrusso.substack.com
August 20, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Even in our public schools, foster kids are mostly invisible.
Gratefiul to @alexanderrusso.bsky.social at The Grade for posting this excerpt from my new book, WARDS OF THE STATE, which shows how much impact one person can have.
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/45f6acd7-a...
Gratefiul to @alexanderrusso.bsky.social at The Grade for posting this excerpt from my new book, WARDS OF THE STATE, which shows how much impact one person can have.
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/45f6acd7-a...
Reposted by Alexander Russo
Hello! I'm currently working on a series of stories for NPR about AI and education. I'm reporting on equity issues, academic integrity and the future of work -- as well as the risks and benefits this tech poses for children and teens.
First up: www.npr.org/2025/08/19/n...
First up: www.npr.org/2025/08/19/n...
An AI divide is growing in schools. This camp wants to level the playing field
For years, research has shown a digital divide when it comes to schools teaching about new technologies. Educators worry that this could leave some students behind in an AI-powered economy.
www.npr.org
August 19, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Hello! I'm currently working on a series of stories for NPR about AI and education. I'm reporting on equity issues, academic integrity and the future of work -- as well as the risks and benefits this tech poses for children and teens.
First up: www.npr.org/2025/08/19/n...
First up: www.npr.org/2025/08/19/n...
Reposted by Alexander Russo
"Nearly 40 percent of young adults get at least some of their news on TikTok, but fewer than 1 percent of all TikTok accounts followed by Americans are traditional media outlets."
From @alexanderrusso.bsky.social's "The Grade," alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/democrats-...
From @alexanderrusso.bsky.social's "The Grade," alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/democrats-...
Democrats in disarray, understanding Trump’s reversal, & 2 big departures in Dallas
🏆Best Education Journalism of the Week🏆(08/08/2025)
alexanderrusso.substack.com
August 12, 2025 at 12:49 PM
"Nearly 40 percent of young adults get at least some of their news on TikTok, but fewer than 1 percent of all TikTok accounts followed by Americans are traditional media outlets."
From @alexanderrusso.bsky.social's "The Grade," alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/democrats-...
From @alexanderrusso.bsky.social's "The Grade," alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/democrats-...
Hey, everybody -- the 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week🏆 is now on Substack:
Pushback against the Post, a new podcast about post-Katrina New Orleans, & new content from 'Sold a Story' (08/15/2025)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/pushback-a...
Pushback against the Post, a new podcast about post-Katrina New Orleans, & new content from 'Sold a Story' (08/15/2025)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/pushback-a...
Pushback against the Post, a new podcast about post-Katrina New Orleans, & new content from 'Sold a Story'
🏆Best Education Journalism of the Week🏆(08/15/2025)
alexanderrusso.substack.com
August 18, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Hey, everybody -- the 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week🏆 is now on Substack:
Pushback against the Post, a new podcast about post-Katrina New Orleans, & new content from 'Sold a Story' (08/15/2025)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/pushback-a...
Pushback against the Post, a new podcast about post-Katrina New Orleans, & new content from 'Sold a Story' (08/15/2025)
alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/pushback-a...
"Journalism, I love you. But you’re bringing me down.”
Why I Became an Education Journalist — & how I know the profession needs to change
www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/ed-mag...
Why I Became an Education Journalist — & how I know the profession needs to change
www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/ed-mag...
www.gse.harvard.edu
July 17, 2025 at 4:31 PM
"Journalism, I love you. But you’re bringing me down.”
Why I Became an Education Journalist — & how I know the profession needs to change
www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/ed-mag...
Why I Became an Education Journalist — & how I know the profession needs to change
www.gse.harvard.edu/ideas/ed-mag...
Like many journalists, former WAMU ed reporter
@jennyabamu.bsky.social had long resisted video-first content creation. But then she figured out a way to join in that worked -- and she's got ideas how others could, too:
NEW: Why I finally joined TikTok kappanonline.org/abamu-why-i-...
@jennyabamu.bsky.social had long resisted video-first content creation. But then she figured out a way to join in that worked -- and she's got ideas how others could, too:
NEW: Why I finally joined TikTok kappanonline.org/abamu-why-i-...
July 2, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Like many journalists, former WAMU ed reporter
@jennyabamu.bsky.social had long resisted video-first content creation. But then she figured out a way to join in that worked -- and she's got ideas how others could, too:
NEW: Why I finally joined TikTok kappanonline.org/abamu-why-i-...
@jennyabamu.bsky.social had long resisted video-first content creation. But then she figured out a way to join in that worked -- and she's got ideas how others could, too:
NEW: Why I finally joined TikTok kappanonline.org/abamu-why-i-...
NEW: Three education journalists talk about the challenges and successes covering education in June -- and what might come next! www.youtube.com/watch?v=48Dj...
Covering education - June 2025 in review
YouTube video by The Grade
www.youtube.com
July 1, 2025 at 4:56 PM
NEW: Three education journalists talk about the challenges and successes covering education in June -- and what might come next! www.youtube.com/watch?v=48Dj...
In this week’s newsletter:
📌 The surprise success of Zohran Mamdani.
📌 A revealing interview with the actor who plays the ‘cool’ teacher from a hit Broadway play
Best Education Journalism of the Week (06/27/2025)
kappanonline.org/the-mamdani-...
📌 The surprise success of Zohran Mamdani.
📌 A revealing interview with the actor who plays the ‘cool’ teacher from a hit Broadway play
Best Education Journalism of the Week (06/27/2025)
kappanonline.org/the-mamdani-...
The Mamdani surprise, the ‘cool’ teacher, & an education talk show with dancing - Best Education Journalism of the Week (06/27/2025) - Kappan Online
In this week’s newsletter: 📌 The surprise success of progressive New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. 📌 A revealing interview with the actor who plays the ‘cool’ teacher from a hit Broadway...
kappanonline.org
June 29, 2025 at 7:20 PM
In this week’s newsletter:
📌 The surprise success of Zohran Mamdani.
📌 A revealing interview with the actor who plays the ‘cool’ teacher from a hit Broadway play
Best Education Journalism of the Week (06/27/2025)
kappanonline.org/the-mamdani-...
📌 The surprise success of Zohran Mamdani.
📌 A revealing interview with the actor who plays the ‘cool’ teacher from a hit Broadway play
Best Education Journalism of the Week (06/27/2025)
kappanonline.org/the-mamdani-...