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Joe Hong
Education Reporter
Joe Hong has spent the past two years covering education for national and local publications. Most recently, 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
Some San Diego Schools May Be Affected By Return To Purple Tier
- Sept. 18
- By Associated Press, Joe Hong
San Diego County has seen a recent rise in coronavirus cases tied to San Diego State University. Some schools had planned for in-person classes to resume in late September and October.
Scripps Health Forms Committee To Assess COVID-19 Vaccines
- Sept. 17
- By Joe Hong
The hospital systems' committee will have the responsibility of selecting the best vaccines for its patients and employees when they become available.
Community Conversation: Coronavirus Impacts On Vulnerable Students
- Sept. 16
- By Brooke Ruth, Joe Hong
On a special episode of KPBS Midday Edition, education reporter Joe Hong speaks with three people who have dedicated their lives to working with students most vulnerable to falling behind during distance learning.
UCSD Standing Firm On Ambitious Reopening Plan Despite Outbreaks On Other Campuses
- Sept. 10
- By Joe Hong
UC San Diego will welcome back 16,000 students in the Fall, more than any other UC campus. Officials are banking on strict testing and safety measures to save it from the fate of other colleges.
San Diego County Reports 247 COVID-19 Cases, 12 Deaths As SDSU Cracks Down
- Sept. 9
- By City News Service, Joe Hong
San Diego County public health officials Wednesday reported 247 new COVID-19 infections and 12 additional fatalities, raising the region's totals to 41,324 cases and 721 deaths from the coronavirus.
Valley Fire Grows To Over 17,000 Acres, New Evacuations Ordered
- Sept. 7
- By City News Service, Joe Hong
The Valley Fire in Japatul Valley near Alpine continued to burn on Labor Day, scorching 17,345 acres with just 3% containment, and causing four new evacuation orders.
San Diego Schools With Both Academic, COVID-19 Disparities Face Reopening Dilemmas
- Sept. 4
- By Joe Hong
The parts of San Diego County that have seen the highest rates of COVID-19 infection also contain the schools serving the vulnerable student groups who need in-person learning the most.
San Diego Unified Students Start Year Facing Both Academic And Social Challenges
- Aug. 31
- By Joe Hong
With Monday marking the all-virtual start to the school year in the county’s largest district, students grappled with unfamiliar class schedules and wondered how they would meet new friends.
East County School District Cuts Ties With Online Learning Provider Over Racist, Sexually Suggestive Content
- Aug. 27
- By Joe Hong
Administrators in the La Mesa-Spring Valley School District terminated the contract days before the new school year after hearing reports about the content from districts in other states.
SDSU Students Greeted With Near-Empty Campus, Strict Rules On First Day
- Aug. 24
- By Joe Hong
San Diego State University started the new school year with 90% of courses being online-only and dormitories filled to just half capacity. Students must wear masks both inside and outside.
Stories featuring work by Joe Hong
Santa Ana Winds, Warmer Temperatures Expected In San Diego County
- Jan. 6
- 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
- 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.
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FRONTLINE: The Choice 2020: Trump vs. Biden
Airs Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2020 at 9 p.m. on KPBS TV + Thursday, Sept. 24 at 9 p.m. on KPBS 2 + PBS Video App + YouTube
