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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
San Diego Students Get Their Feet Wet In Ocean Science
- Nov. 20
- By Joe Hong
Aiden Avalos, who is 10, says he’s wanted to be a veterinarian all his life, but he’s never been interested in the animals that live in the ocean. That changed when he saw his first tide pool.
Black Students 'Not Surprised' By Discipline Disparity At San Diego Unified
- Nov. 19
- By Joe Hong
Hundreds of students, parents and educators filled the auditorium at Morse High School on Monday where they listened to San Diego State University researchers present their findings. Following the presentation, student leaders had a chance to respond.
San Diego Unified Voted To Join LAUSD Class-Action Against Juul
- Nov. 13
- By Alexander Nguyen, Joe Hong
The Board of Education voted 5-0 in favor of joining the suit in a closed session meeting Tuesday evening.
SDSU President Announces Task Forces In Response To Student Death
- Nov. 12
- By City News Service, Joe Hong
The announcement follows the death of a freshman after he attended an event at one of the university's fraternities.
San Diego Parade Brings Together Generations Of Veterans
- Nov. 11
- By Joe Hong
The parade featured a performance by the Nassau County Police Emerald Society Pipe Band and the horses and riders of the Scripps Miramar Saddlebreds. Organizations like the Midway Museum and the American Legion marched in the parade alongside floats of planes and aircraft carriers.
Audit: Local Control School Funding Model Failed To Close Achievement Gap
- Nov. 8
- By Joe Hong
The audit analyzed the statewide impact of the Local Control Funding Formula since it was implemented in 2013. The funding model was designed to give local school districts more freedom in deciding how to spend state money.
San Diego Unified Considers Joining Class-Action Suit Against Juul
- Nov. 6
- By Joe Hong
As electronic cigarette use and vaping-related injuries become more common throughout the country, San Diego Unified superintendent is calling for the district to join a recent class-action lawsuit filed by Los Angeles Unified against e-cigarette producer Juul.
Report: Young Black Students Suspended At Higher Rate In San Diego Unified
- Nov. 5
- By Joe Hong
The report, titled “When They Teach US: The Education of Black Children in San Diego,” presents data from recent school years showing lower test scores and higher suspension rates for black students in the state’s second largest school district.
San Diego Unified Surpasses State, Nation On Test Scores
- Nov. 1
- By Joe Hong
Between 35 and 42% of test-takers met proficiency at San Diego Unified with scores surpassing state and national averages.
Longer Wildfire Season Could Mean Extended Academic Year For Some San Diego Schools
- Oct. 30
- By Joe Hong
As wildfire-related closures become more common, one superintendent expressed concern that the district may not meet state requirements for the minimum number of school days.