Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news organization committed to covering one of America’s most important stories: the effort to improve schools for all children, especially those who have historically lacked access to a quality education.
Founded in 2008 as GothamSchools by Green, Elizabeth and Philissa Cramer, the organization later merged with EdNews Colorado in 2013 before relaunching as Chalkbeat in 2014. The national network operates with a mission-driven approach, believing that every child deserves an excellent education and that a strong press is vital to making that happen.
Chalkbeat emerged from the merger of GothamNews and EdNews Colorado in January 2013, initially operating as Education News Network before adopting the Chalkbeat brand. Green, Elizabeth, who serves as CEO and co-founder, explained that the organizations “decided to merge because it’s hard to build a sustainable business around journalism.” The consolidation allowed the network to establish additional bureaus in Memphis and Indianapolis, selecting these locations for their dynamic education policy environments and potential for significant educational changes.
The organization operates as part of the Civic News Company, measuring success not by dollars or clicks, but by the civic debates they inform and the civic actions they inspire. Chalkbeat maintains editorial independence while pursuing its advocacy for educational equity through local, independent journalism. The network currently operates bureaus in eight states, covering local education news with plans to more than double the number of cities in which it operates through a five-year expansion campaign.
Green, Elizabeth (b. 1980s), the organization’s CEO and co-founder, brings extensive journalism experience to Chalkbeat. Her book “Building a Better Teacher” became a New York Times bestseller and notable book of 2014. She has contributed to major publications including The New York Times Magazine and U.S. News & World Report, and served as a Spencer Fellow in education journalism at Columbia University. Green also co-founded the American Journalism Project in 2019, the first venture philanthropy firm dedicated to local news.
Chalkbeat has expanded its coverage beyond traditional education reporting. In 2020, the organization launched Votebeat, a spin-off focused on election coverage, and has explored partnerships in public health reporting with Kaiser Health News. The network’s approach emphasizes accountability journalism, investigating education funding, legislation, and policy changes while maintaining strict editorial independence.
The organization operates under the belief that quality education journalism can drive systemic change. Chalkbeat’s reporting model focuses on local education issues while connecting them to broader national trends and policy discussions. The network has become the country’s fastest-growing destination for education news, reaching influential educators, administrators, decision-makers, and parents across the United States.
Chalkbeat continues to evolve its coverage model, incorporating community engagement and diverse perspectives in education reporting. The organization’s commitment to serving historically underserved communities remains central to its mission, reflecting the broader movement toward equity-focused journalism in the education sector.