# Alexander Russo's The Grade Traditional Journalism Is Broken. Let's Fix It!? Page: Feed: --- ## [Weekend highlights, the case for video-first reporting, & why edtech opt-outs won't work](https://alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/weekend-highlights-the-case-for-video) _2026-08-17 · Alexander Russo_ Weekend highlights, plus using video to unlock new sources and tips, and the case against edtech opt-outs. ## [Sources, scoops, & soaring audience numbers, plus: the case against edtech optouts](https://alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/sources-scoops-and-soaring-audience) _2026-08-14 · Alexander Russo_ There's no Friday newsletter again this week, but the Secret Bonus Section includes a new column, a new interview, and more. Paid subscribers get immediate access! ## [Sources, scoops, & soaring audience](https://alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/vertical-video-sources-scoops-and) _2026-08-14 · Alexander Russo_ A former education reporter shares lessons from her first year doing video journalism, which has produced more sources, better scoops, and a bigger audience. [Listen](https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/209002635/39adee58adae81f33449af2e19cda5c3.mp3) ## [Shut up about edtech opt-outs](https://alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/shut-up-about-edtech-opt-outs) _2026-08-14 · The Principal_ Parents are right to be concerned about edtech, but individual parent opt-outs will create havoc in the classroom. ## [American schools are fine, says Freddie deBoer](https://alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/freddie-deboer-thinks-american-schools) _2026-08-12 · Alexander Russo_ A largely amicable interview with the self-described 'pain in the ass' who penned this summer's controversial oped, 'No, American schools aren't failing.' [Listen](https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/206101202/6b7f3269e1121284197bed97c2c22b98.mp3) ## [Recognizing hype, districts supporting school choice, & the hidden school reform movement](https://alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/recognizing-hype-districts-supporting) _2026-08-10 · Alexander Russo_ Weekend highlights, plus a newly-unlocked Secret Bonus Section column about districts leaning into school choice and an interview with NPU's Charlie Barone. ## [Invisible school reform, district-aided micro-schools, & the missing question](https://alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/invisible-school-reform-district) _2026-08-07 · Alexander Russo_ There may not be a Friday newsletter this week, but the Secret Bonus Section features Charlie Barone, Mickey Revenaugh, and a missing interview question. ## [How public schools are flipping the script on microschools — despite little media attention](https://alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/how-public-schools-are-flipping-the) _2026-08-07 · Mickey Revenaugh_ Public school districts are playing a part in developing alternatives to traditional schools, despite inadequate media attention. ## [Charlie Barone: The school reform nobody sees](https://alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/charles-barone) _2026-08-07 · Alexander Russo_ The conventional wisdom is that school reform has been dead for about a decade now, for better or worse. [Listen](https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/207852507/e2d59b28bafb61dcf0baa7bd02c5eab5.mp3) ## [Covering edtech like Big Pharma](https://alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/covering-edtech-like-big-pharma-and) _2026-08-05 · Alexander Russo_ “It feels like collective amnesia to me that each time...we have to get the latest tool into the classroom,” says Natasha Singer. “I think journalists also have collective amnesia sometimes.” [Listen](https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/205546838/240d5bfee0d48ac7e442977454fb2295.mp3) ## [Stay updated on your professional world (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/0G3peLSvoyLl) _2026-08-05 · **Sponsored**_ Keep in touch with people you know, build your career. ## [Admitted but unprepared, reaching new readers, & wrong on school shootings](https://alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/admitted-but-unprepared-reaching) _2026-08-03 · Alexander Russo_ Weekend highlights, plus Friday's bonus interview, thoughts from Jill Barshay, & the week’s best essays, commentary, and longform journalism. ## [They like you — but they don't read you](https://alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/they-like-you-but-they-dont-read) _2026-07-31 · Alexander Russo_ This week’s secret bonus section for paid subscribers ## [A tough start to 2026-27, Meckler on the move, & pepper spray drones: 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (07/31/2026)](https://alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/a-tough-start-to-2026-7-31-2026) _2026-07-31 · Alexander Russo_ All the best education journalism, media commentary, & newsroom changes. ## [Video changes everything](https://alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/emmeline-zhao) _2026-07-31 · Alexander Russo_ The 74 is ramping up its video as well as experimenting with other innovations to break through to the mainstream and win reader' attention and time. Others should do the same. ## [Anthony Fauci, schools, & the education beat](https://alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/anthony-fauci-schools-and-the-education) _2026-07-29 · Alexander Russo_ Since the pandemic, both schools and education journalism have lost a lot of public trust. The release of the diaries and the Rand Paul hearing are an opportunity to reflect and rebuild. ## [Selling AI to teachers, Trump's school predator crackdown, & 'so long' to Sally the (sex) robot](https://alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/selling-ai-to-teachers-trumps-school) _2026-07-27 · Alexander Russo_ Weekend highlights — plus Friday's secret bonus section & a new video interview with investigative journalist Bethany Barnes: ## [Deporting enrollment, Trump’s first high school visit, & a classroom sex robot: 🏆 Best Education Journalism of the Week 🏆 (7/24/2026)](https://alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/deporting-enrollment-7-24-2026) _2026-07-24_ All the best education journalism, media commentary, & newsroom changes. ## [Bethany Barnes explains investigative journalism](https://alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/bethany-barnes-explains-investigative) _2026-07-24 · Alexander Russo_ The longtime favorite journalist talks about covering school misconduct, helping run an invaluable newsletter, and why ProPublica seems so ideological to me. ## [We've 'lost the plot' on edtech, says tech reporter Taylor Lorenz](https://alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/bad-solutions-to-bad-tech-and-how) _2026-07-22 · Alexander Russo_ The burden to protect kids from unsafe and ineffective tech should be on tech companies not schools and parents, says Lorenz. [Listen](https://api.substack.com/feed/podcast/207627839/5307a3f713d45373d6c7440dedfd32e1.mp3) ## [Code Faster with Clear Tutorials (Sponsored)](https://crawlproof.com/a/OVqLhxIwUctQ) _2026-07-22 · **Sponsored**_ Short, step-by-step coding videos you can follow along ## [Bad Apples, AI for journalists, & adding student voices](https://alexanderrusso.substack.com/p/bad-apples-ai-for-journalists-and) _2026-07-20 · Alexander Russo_ Weekend highlights -- plus Friday's secret bonus section and video interview with Firsthand editor Karina Elwood: