Our Impact

Evaluating our performance

Healthy NewsWorks helps elementary and middle school students become stronger writers, critical thinkers, and more confident communicators through student journalism. Healthy NewsWorks has evaluated its program since 2007 to learn what its impact is on participating students and teachers.

Over the years, the results have consistently shown that student reporters develop writing, interviewing, and research skills; social and emotional skills such as teamwork and confidence; and knowledge of healthy behaviors. Teachers directly participating in the program confirm the benefits for the students, as well as their own skill set.

Impact by the numbers

2025–2026

Students
Reached

Partner
Schools

Core Reporters
(Grades 4-8)

Cub Reporters
(Grades K-3)

Students Participated
in Special Lessons

Student outcomes

In the 2026 end-of-year survey, teachers reported students gained the following:

Writing skills

Writing skills 84%

Health knowledge

Health knowledge 86%

Research skills

Research skills 87%

Social-emotional learning skills

Social-emotional learning skills 91%

In the 2026 end-of-year survey, teachers reported that they gained the following:

100% Said the program enhanced their teaching practice

100% Said the program enhanced their teaching practice 100%

What goes here?

What goes here? 87%

Student Reporter Experience

What students are saying

When we ask students in surveys if Healthy NewsWorks has taught them skills in life, health, and journalism, they overwhelmingly respond: YES!

Students say they deepen their research, writing, and interview skills.

Frequently mentioned journalism skills:

“I have learned that writing a script for an interview is very important. I also learned how to interview, report and summarize and understand texts about health and how to properly cite evidence from a specific source.”

“I’ve learned how to look for reliable resources and websites for writing articles and doing research. With writing, I’ve learned that you need to be very thoughtful when writing and then reporting it in a newspaper.”

“When writing, you should list where you found the information so readers know they can trust it.”

“I always use sources everywhere I go so I can find important facts and details.”

“I learned how to not [plagiarize] other people’s work and how to find a good source. I also learned how to interview people.”

“I have learned to properly interview people with a camera crew and with a microphone. Furthermore, I learned that you can get to know someone [by asking] one to three powerful questions.”

Students say they gain a wealth of life skills and social emotional learning.

Frequently mentioned social emotional skills:

“It taught me coming together and working together can lead to friendships.”

“I learned how to listen and ask questions, how to have a healthy conversation, how to have a healthy connection, and how to keep going if I mess up.”

“I learned how to make healthy social connections that I used when a new kid came to my aftercare and I made friends with her.”

“I learned how to have deep connections and I use it in everyday life by talking to people I usually wouldn’t. I have more friends to hang out with and deepen our connections.”

“When I feel bad or stressed, I take three deep breaths before I get mad. Or sometimes I will talk to someone or my family.”

“I’ve learned that showing gratitude to someone could change the way they feel. Gratitude helps us show that we are thankful to that person and that we really appreciate them for being in our lives.”

Students say they build health knowledge.

Frequently mentioned health topics

“I’ve learned that eating together can increase friendship, technology has positive and negative effects, and humor can decrease stress.”

“I learned how to cope with anxiety, how to be positive and think on the bright side, what to do when feeling stressed and negative, and how to build healthy relationships with people.”

“I learned that volunteering and laughter can help connect with other people. I also learned that these things can help with mental health and emotional health.”

“I learned about my health. I also used his tricks on how to make better healthy choices, and I remind myself to exercise and work harder for myself.”

“Healthy connections… means going outside, eating healthy, making friends, spending time with your loved ones and your friends, doing exercise, running, and jogging.”

“I learned that eating helps you know your family more. Talking to your family also helps your mental health.”

Teacher Experience

What teachers are saying

When we ask teachers in surveys if Healthy NewsWorks is a beneficial program for their school, they overwhelmingly respond: YES!

Teachers say their students are exposed to new skills and knowledge.

Frequently mentioned skills and topics their students acquire

“The importance of finding reliable sources. Opportunities to interview people with probing questions. The excitement that comes with seeing a finished product that they worked on as a class.”

“Scholars get the opportunity to become reporters and learn about topics that they may not other wise experience in a typical school day.”

“I believe this program reenforces the idea of research and rereading to comprehend. It teaches our students to really look closely at sources and what they are trusting as truth. They also learn how to partner together to create something amazing. They feed off each other's thoughts and skills to create these impressive pieces.”

“Students learn to work collaboratively, engage in professional interviewing, and writing skills.”

“[They learned the] interview process, how to write an article, and review skills.”

Teachers say they acquire new skills and knowledge.

Frequently mentioned skills and knowledge teachers acquire

“I am a language arts teacher so any collaboration with a program that promotes reading, writing, research, and the arts enhances my teaching.”

“The importance of reliable sources, interview techniques, and more awareness of local happenings.”

“Participating in this program has taught me more about the process of teaching research. I’ve only been in my library position for two years and though I have many years of experience teaching fourth-grade students, this has given me more insight into the process.”

“With the program, I even developed a stronger understanding of trustworthy news sources, how to make connections to these lessons within my regular content, and integrating this into my own teaching. I gained more confidence in my teaching of the topics and teaching students how to write as journalists and how it helped them with their confidence within the regular writing content required in class.”

“It has enhanced my knowledge of how to engage students better.”

Teachers say they would recommend Healthy NewsWorks.

“This was an amazing program. Students were always eager to engage in the lessons, asked pertinent questions, and were deliberate about taking proper notes.”

“I am an enthusiastic supporter of Healthy NewsWorks. The students take such pride in their finished product. It is an awesome opportunity for our students.”

“I think Healthy NewsWorks provides a lot for students. Putting together newspapers as a class gives the students a lot of confidence as well. The interview and writing skills are two of the greatest strengths this program focuses on.”

“A great way to create some excitement related to writing.”

“I think very highly this program and the people who run in and I’m very happy to be participating alongside all of you.”

“This was an amazing program. Students were always eager to engage in the lessons, asked pertinent questions, and were deliberate about taking proper notes. They thoroughly enjoyed the discussions, creating artwork for the newspaper, and interviewing staff and community members. The full impact of the program was when they received final copies of their printed newspaper! To see their faces full of pride as we read through the material was priceless!”

Community recognition & awards

Healthy NewsWorks has been recognized for its work by the community, including:

Interested in getting your school involved?

Support student learning that makes an impact

Partner with Healthy NewsWorks, volunteer your time, or make a gift to help students build media literacy skills and health knowledge