American Public Media's American RadioWorks Wins National Headliner Awards
Contact: Brad Robideau
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brobideau@americanpublicmedia.org
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American Public Media's American RadioWorks Wins National Headliner Awards
(St. Paul, Minn.) March 11, 2008—American Public Media™ today announced that its documentary unit, American RadioWorks, won two National Headliner Awards from the Press Club of Atlantic City for the documentary, "Put to the Test." American RadioWorks won the Grand Award—the top award among all radio entries—and first place in the Documentary or Public Affairs category.
Founded in 1934 by the Press Club of Atlantic City, the National Headliner Awards program is one of the oldest and largest annual contests recognizing journalistic excellence. American RadioWorks will receive the award at a ceremony in Atlantic City on May 17, 2008.
"Put to the Test" explores how high-stakes testing took root in American classrooms and what effect it is having. American RadioWorks spent two years at Western Guilford High School in Greensboro, North Carolina. The majority of students at Western go on to college; SAT scores are a bit above the national average. However, the school has failed to meet the federal government's testing goals twice since No Child Left Behind took effect. Testing pressures are also having a big impact on teachers and students. "Put to the Test" follows students, teachers and administrators from Western Guilford High School as they navigate the requirements of No Child Left Behind.
"Put to the Test" was reported and produced by Emily Hanford, Alison Jones, Ben Shapio and Deborah George, and edited by Mary Beth Kirchner. It was produced in cooperation with North Carolina Public Radio-WUNC. American RadioWorks' reporting on education is funded by the Spencer Foundation, supporting research to improve learning.
Judges Comments: "Put to the Test" showed a rare commitment to a vital project with well integrated natural sound that truly made this project standout. When "put to the test" themselves, the reporters and producers who worked on this ambitious project truly "made the grade" by taking listeners into Western Guilford High School in this memorable documentary. The two years spent at the high school in North Carolina was time well spent in telling this story of "No Child Left Behind."
American RadioWorks
Based in St. Paul, Minn., American RadioWorks is public radio's largest documentary production unit. American RadioWorks creates documentaries, series projects and investigative reports for the public radio system and the Internet. Its hour-long specials provide in-depth reporting on public affairs, social and cultural subjects and the 20th-century experience. Major funding for American RadioWorks is provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. American RadioWorks is on the Web at www.americanradioworks.org.
American RadioWorks on iTunes U
In partnership with Apple, American Public Media has created a rich archive of journalism from American RadioWorks and other signature radio programs available on the popular iTunes U platform. Get free, easy access to in-depth audio journalism that spans the globe and expands your mind with downloadable programs and interviews, searchable by subject; printable transcripts; discussion questions; and links to online resources: annotated program notes, primary source information, reading lists, and interactive timelines.