EdSurge is a digital news and research magazine about education. Read our mission here.

EdSurge journalism is produced by a team of professional journalists who abide by the SPJ Code of Ethics and the EdSurge ethics policy, a synthesis of which is shared below. EdSurge research is produced by a team of trained qualitative researchers who abide by best practices of academic research.

Editorial Independence

EdSurge operates, as of January 1, 2023, as an initiative of Project Robin Merger Corporation, a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization that also operates two membership associations for educators and education leaders: the International Society for Technology in Education and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

EdSurge maintains editorial independence from its parent organization and from the organization’s other initiatives. EdSurge receives administrative services from its parent organization.

Project Robin Merger Corporation is overseen by a volunteer board of directors and managed by professional staff responsible for the daily operations of the nonprofit. Project Robin Merger Corporation generates revenue primarily through conferences, publication sales, membership dues and professional development services.

EdSurge journalism and research are advised by a volunteer board of advisers. Learn more about them here.

Our news judgments and editorial decisions are made independently. Supporters and sponsors do not have the right to assign, review or edit any material.

Philanthropic Support

EdSurge accepts grants from philanthropic organizations that are committed to our editorial independence. See our list of supporters here.

Revenue

EdSurge generates revenue through sponsored content, paid advertising, webinars and a jobs board. These activities operate separately from EdSurge journalism and research and are managed by staff who work separately from the journalism and research teams. EdSurge clearly labels advertising and sponsored content, including materials created and purchased by its parent organization and the organization’s other initiatives.

Sponsored Content

The guidelines in the following section shall apply to all sponsored content served by or appearing in the digital publications of EdSurge, including ads purchased under AAAA/IAB Standard Terms and Conditions.

  • Sponsored content is content created by or expressly on behalf of advertisers in conjunction with EdSurge’s studio team (“EdSurge Studio“). EdSurge allows sponsored content in two forms: (1) Content produced by EdSurge Studio on behalf of its advertising partners; and (2) Content produced by advertisers that meet our editorial standards.
  • Sponsored content does not necessarily reflect the views and choices of EdSurge or its editors. Accordingly, EdSurge will prominently display the “SPONSORED CONTENT” label on such material. EdSurge will additionally include the following disclaimer on all sponsored content: “This article was sponsored by [brand X].” EdSurge may additionally include, in certain areas and platforms, further explanation defining sponsored content to EdSurge readers.
  • EdSurge does not require that sponsored content steer clear of controversy. Indeed, we expect that sponsored content, like our own editorial content, will sometimes address contested issues and will be written with a distinct point of view. That said, even with the caveat that sponsored content does not necessarily reflect the views of EdSurge or its editors, EdSurge will refuse publication of such content that, in its own judgment, would undermine the intellectual integrity, authority and character of our enterprise.
  • As with all content, EdSurge may reject or remove any sponsored content at any time that contains false, deceptive, potentially misleading, or illegal content; is inconsistent with or may tend to bring disparagement, harm to reputation, or damage EdSurge’s brand.

Advertising

In addition to sponsored content, you may see advertising for third parties on the EdSurge site, in our newsletter and via our social channels. These ads reflect the viewpoints of our advertisers and not of EdSurge.

Disclosures and Conflicts of Interest

EdSurge discloses potential or perceived conflicts of interest, including when journalism and research has been funded through a grant and when our work references our parent organization, its affiliates or any organization that is a current funder. We do so in a few ways:

  • We disclose EdSurge supporters who have given more than $1,000 on our website.
  • When an EdSurge story cites our parent organization, its other initiatives, or any organization that is a current EdSurge funder, we disclose this relationship.
  • When EdSurge publishes material written by contributors who are not on our staff, we disclose relevant information about their backgrounds.
  • We publish an announcement story when we receive grants that support newsroom operations or scoped journalism or research projects.

Our journalists and researchers do not create advertising content or accept gifts that might influence coverage.

Our staff attend conferences on the same terms that are usually offered to the media, such as a discounted rate or a free press pass. EdSurge journalists sometimes accept travel cost reimbursement for participating at these events.

Journalist Code of Conduct

EdSurge journalists and researchers will interact professionally and respectfully with sources, readers and members of the public. We will aim to hold power accountable to the public interest. We will aim to show compassion for people who may be affected by news coverage and balance the public’s need for information against individuals’ potential harm or discomfort.

To share questions or concerns regarding the conduct of our journalists, please contact editorial@edsurge.com.

Accuracy and Feedback

Transparency, accuracy and fairness are key to building trust with our audiences. EdSurge journalists are responsible for and committed to publishing news and information that is transparent, accurate and fair. We will not plagiarize, fabricate, stereotype or publish deliberate distortions. We will give subjects of news coverage the opportunity to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing.

When we become aware that a fact in an article is incorrect, we correct the article as soon as possible. For any substantial change made (that affects the meaning of an article, not just a matter of punctuation or formatting), we add a correction notice to the bottom of the story, explaining clearly and concisely what was changed. The Associated Press offers a good explanation of the practice we follow.

The material we cover is changing and evolving, and developments often happen after the time of publication. In such cases, we consider writing a follow-up article, and we might link to the follow-up article from the original. We typically do not rewrite old articles to reflect new information, as the original article is a record of what was true as of publication date. In rare cases where we add information to an article, such as in coverage of a breaking news event, we add an editor’s note and explain what information was updated or added.

Sources or public relations officials sometimes ask for changes related to tone or to add promotional links to stories. We do not make these changes.

In some cases, sources ask for their names or images to be removed from an article, arguing that the information causes reputational harm. We consider such requests on a case-by-case basis, but we believe the bar should be high (as in this guidance), and we look for alternatives to removal, such as adding an addendum when, say, a person convicted of a crime is later exonerated.

To share feedback or concerns about accuracy, please contact editorial@edsurge.com.

Language and Style

EdSurge journalism publishes in accordance with the AP Stylebook, with a few exceptions. The AP Stylebook is regularly updated to reflect our society’s evolving philosophies about and use of language. You can find more information about the stylebook’s specific language and style choices here.

News, Research and Commentary

EdSurge distinguishes between news reported and written by professional journalists; research conducted and produced by professional researchers; and commentary pieces, opinion articles and personal essays written by external contributors that express their personal views. EdSurge clearly labels news, research and opinion pieces.

Through its research articles, commentary pieces, opinion articles and personal essays, EdSurge aims to publish diverse viewpoints and experiences. Like news articles, these pieces are held to high standards of accuracy, transparency and fairness. EdSurge reserves the right to decline to publish contributed material that promotes prejudice, discrimination or hate speech.

Read more about pitching to EdSurge here.

Social Media

EdSurge distributes its published material through third-party social media platforms. While we are not responsible for the actions of users of these sites, we reserve the right to moderate comments posted to our social media accounts. We ask that readers refrain from posting false or misleading information; material that promotes prejudice, discrimination or hate speech; spam or self-promotional content; and personally identifiable information about another individual without their consent.

Privacy Policy and Terms of Service

This Privacy Policy and Terms of Service only apply to your visits to https://www.edsurge.com/ and applications on the Website, which is operated by EdSurge, an initiative of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). EdSurge operates from a principal place of business at 2111 Wilson Blvd #300, Arlington, VA 22201.

Read Our Site Privacy Policy

Read Our Site Terms of Service


This statement was last updated in March 2023.

Get our email newsletterSign me up
Keep up to date with our email newsletterSign me up