Beacon Award for Excellence in Reporting on Public Education

The GSBA Beacon Award recognizes outstanding reporting on public education by individuals, media representatives, or organizations whose coverage has created understanding of public education issues and informed the general public about programs, policies, and/or issues affecting Georgia's public schools, students, and communities.

Geographic Scope: Georgia

Focus Areas:

• Fair and unbiased reporting on public education
• Coverage of educational programs, policies, and initiatives
• Stories impacting schools, students, and communities
• Accuracy and depth in educational journalism
• Media coverage through various platforms: print, online, television, radio, podcasts

Eligibility:

• Journalists and media organizations
• Individuals, representatives, or organizations whose coverage or projects demonstrate sustained reporting on education
• Open to all media types and formats

Award Recognition:

• Annual honor and public recognition
• Celebration at GSBA/GSSA Annual Conference
• No monetary award specified

Selection Process:

• Nominations submitted by local school boards
• Review by GSBA Awards Committee consisting of board of education members from across Georgia
• Evaluation criteria: fair and unbiased reporting, accuracy, clarity, impact, and depth
• Winners announced publicly

Recent Award Cycles:

• 2025: The Dahlonega Nugget, The Morgan County Citizen, Makaylee Randolph and The Advance Publications
• 2024: The Hartwell Sun, 13WMAZ, The Star-Mercury Vindicator
• 2023: Multiple winners in recognition of excellence in journalism

Contact Information:

• Phone: 770.962.2985 or 800.226.1856
• Address: 5120 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30043
• Website: gsba.com

Background: This award highlights the vital role of informed, thoughtful media coverage in shaping public perceptions and policies regarding education, encouraging broader dialogue around successes and challenges in Georgia's public schools.