Student Video Contest offering $1,000 Award

The Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA) is now taking entries for the Annie E. Casey Foundation KIDS COUNT Data Center Video Contest. This year the first place winner receives $1,000. To enter, RTDNA student members should create a short video on the topic of research has shown that being proficient in reading by the 4th grade and in math by the 8th grade are two milestones in determining a child’s healthy development toward a productive adulthood. Entries must be submitted by 5pm on Friday, Sept. 7, 2018. The Annie E. Casey Foundation is devoted to developing a brighter future for millions of children at risk of poor educational, economic, social and health outcomes. Their work focuses on strengthening families, building stronger communities and ensuring access to opportunity, because children need all three to succeed. The Casey Foundation’s KIDS COUNT Data Center contains a wealth of information related to child and family well-being. The center provides data on reading and math proficiency for each racial demographic for every state and territory in the United States. Using the KIDS COUNT Data Center as a primary resource, students are asked to create a video that includes the following: Identify grade-level reading and math proficiency for your state (birth state or current state of residence). What do the data indicate for children in your state? Are there disparities or success stories in your communities? If there are disparities, what are local leaders, policymakers and/or advocates doing in your state or community to give children the best chances possible to succeed? The winner will be notified prior to the Excellence in Journalism Conference in September. The winning video will be displayed during the conference, posted on the Casey Foundation’s online platforms and promoted via social media. For more information about the contest, visit www.RTDNA.org.