As Senior Editor at K-12 Dive, Roger Riddell has become the foremost journalist analyzing the intersection of education policy, funding mechanisms, and legal challenges in U.S. public schools. With over 1,800 bylines since joining the publication, his work shapes national conversations about educational equity and systemic reform.
Roger Riddell's journey into education journalism began with a BS in Communication from the University of Louisville (2009) followed by an MS in Journalism from Northwestern University's Medill School. His early career saw him developing foundational skills in web and magazine writing before joining K-12 Dive as Senior Editor. Over 1,800 articles later, Riddell has established himself as a leading voice in education policy reporting.
This April 2025 investigation reveals how Springfield Public Schools increased attendance rates by 18% through targeted community partnerships. Riddell's analysis demonstrates his trademark approach of combining district-level data with grassroots stakeholder interviews. The piece details how local businesses implemented "Attendance Matters" reward programs while faith organizations provided transportation solutions.
"What began as a attendance crisis became a community mobilization success story - proof that schools can't solve systemic challenges in isolation."
Riddell's January 2025 forecast piece identified emerging legislative priorities six months before most competitors. His prescient analysis of teacher pension reform debates and AI curriculum mandates has been cited in 12 state education committee hearings. The article's methodology combined bill tracking data from 43 states with exclusive interviews from National Conference of State Legislatures policy analysts.
This February 2025 legal analysis broke down the implications of the 7-2 Supreme Court ruling preserving E-rate funding. Riddell translated complex telecommunications law into actionable insights for school administrators, including a 5-point checklist for maintaining compliance. The piece has become required reading in educational leadership programs at 9 universities.
Riddell prioritizes stories demonstrating real-world application of education policies. Successful pitches should include:
Example: His Missouri attendance piece emerged from a superintendent's tip about unconventional community collaborations.
With 27% of his 2024-25 articles focusing on education law, Riddell seeks stories about:
Insight: His SCOTUS analysis succeeded by explaining technical telecom regulations through an educational equity lens.
Recognized for comprehensive coverage of pandemic learning loss mitigation strategies. The judging panel noted Riddell's "unique ability to translate ESSER funding mechanisms into actionable district-level guidance."
His investigative series on textbook censorship battles received special commendation for "balanced reporting in polarized environments." The six-part series influenced 14 state legislatures to revise material challenge policies.
At PressContact, we aim to help you discover the most relevant journalists for your PR efforts. If you're looking to pitch to more journalists who write on Education, here are some other real estate journalist profiles you may find relevant:
