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Joe Hong
Education Reporter - Contributor through June 2021
Joe Hong covered education stories across KPBS platforms. Prior to joining the KPBS newsroom, he covered three school districts for The Desert Sun in Palm Springs. He has written about school finance, negligence in special education, and school board misconduct. Previously, he covered equity issues and historically black colleges and universities for Diverse: Issues in Higher Education magazine based in Fairfax, Virginia.
Before a career in journalism, he was pursuing a doctorate in comparative literature at Rutgers University. He pivoted to journalism in 2016 and earned a master's degree from Columbia Journalism School in 2017, specializing in investigative reporting. In September 2019, he completed The Data Institute, a two-week workshop for journalists of color taught by ProPublica in collaboration with the Ida B. Wells Society.
Recent Stories by Joe Hong
San Diego Unified Reports Lower Grades, Higher Absenteeism During Pandemic Year
- June 3
- By Joe Hong
Black and Latinx students as well as English learners and students with disabilities were more likely to be chronically absent or receive a failing grade during the 2020-21 school year.
San Diego Public Library Starts Summer Reading Challenge
- June 1
- By Joe Hong
Librarians hope this year’s program can boost reading skills, especially in those students who have fallen behind this year.
Activists Gather At San Diego City Hall To Protest Mayor’s Police Budget
- May 25
- By Joe Hong
Protesters spoke out against a nearly $19 million increase to the police department’s budget, saying the money should go to homelessness services, better parks and supports for youth.
San Diego County School Officials Expect Full Return To In-Person Learning In Fall
- May 24
- By Joe Hong
The California Legislature is unlikely to require vaccines and state officials have yet to say whether masking and physical distancing rules will remain in place.
New Juvenile Diversion Initiative Aims To Keep Youth Out Of Prison Pipeline
- May 20
- By Joe Hong
The initiative would divert youth arrested for misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies away from the criminal justice system and into counseling and mentorship programs.
Community College Enrollment Drops During Pandemic As Students Prioritize Employment
- May 19
- By Joe Hong
Following a statewide trend, San Diego City College’s enrollment declined by about 15% this year.
Experts Say Arts Education Should Be Emphasized As Students Return To Classrooms
- May 14
- By Joe Hong
Although learning loss is a concern, parents and teachers shouldn’t hyper-focus on it given the anxiety many students have about going back to in-person school.
San Diego Unified Outlines Efforts To Diversify Its Teacher And Administrator Ranks
- May 12
- By Joe Hong
The district hopes to close a yawning gap between the number of students who identify as people of color and the number of teachers who do the same.
Questions Raised Over Proposed Increase In San Diego Police Budget
- May 7
- By Joe Hong
Some councilmembers and residents say money should be diverted from police to fund community health initiatives. Others point to increased violent crime as justification for a higher budget.
San Diego County Sees Big Drop In English Learner Enrollment
- April 30
- By Joe Hong
Educators attribute the decline, which is also happening statewide, to economic factors and challenges in communication during the pandemic.
Stories featuring work by Joe Hong
Santa Ana Winds, Warmer Temperatures Expected In San Diego County
- Jan. 6, 2020
- By City News Service
Gusty winds are expected in San Diego County Monday and could prove hazardous for high-profile vehicles traveling through mountains passes, according to the National Weather Service.
County Requires Face Covers By May 1, Concerns Rise About Mexico and COVID-19
- April 24, 2020
- By City News Service
The first order will allow ocean access from city beaches for the above-mentioned activities. Piers, boardwalks and parking lots are still closed to the public, and the order does not include boat ramps or watercraft. It also does not apply to state parks and beaches. It also leaves the decision of beach closures to the cities.
Latest on kpbs.org
Virtual Conversation: Exploring The 'X' In Latinx: A Conversation On Identity
Wednesday, July 28, 2021 at 6 p.m.
AMERICAN MASTERS: Buddy Guy: The Blues Chase The Blues Away
Stream or tune in Tuesday, July 27, 2021 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV
