Richard P Phelps
Asheville
As seen in:
Retraction Watch,
James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal,
Content Engine News Syndication
Covers:
education policy, educational testing & measurement, education statistics, comparative & international education, public finance, technical writing
Ed policy; assessment; evaluation; founder Nonpartisan Education Group; raker of muck; @richardpphelps.bsky.social
Interview
What was your first job as a journalist?
high school newspaper
Have you ever used a typewriter?
yes
How is social media changing news?
... too easily
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
no one in particular
What does it mean to be a journalist?
"The only reason one will respect you as a journalist is because of your integrity. Your integrity is based on your credibility. Your credibility comes from your truthfulness. All these come from you submitting yourself as a servant of the truth, a servant of issues."
—Shaka Ssali
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
can't think of one offhand
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
directly, by email
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
basic web searching, spreadsheet and word-processing software
What's your favorite social network?
bluesky
Who do you wish followed you?
no one in particular
Why did you become a journalist?
because other journalists were not doing what I thought needed to be done
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
i was sports editor
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
the Common Core Initiative
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
don't believe everything you hear
When's the best time to pitch you?
any time
What's the best pitch you ever got?
no one in particular
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
from students who, essentially, wanted me to do their homework for them
What's your favorite drink?
chirimoya juice
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
hiking
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The Economist (even though it is somewhat pompous)
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
that appearances are not deceiving
Would you like to take the Muck Rack Interview?
Create a Muck Rack profile.