David DesRoches
ReporterDavid finds and tells stories about education and learning for WNPR radio and its website. He also teaches journalism and media literacy to high school students, and he starts the year with the lesson: “Conflicts of interest: Real or perceived? Both matter.” He thinks he has a sense of humor, and he also finds writing in the third person awkward, but he does it anyway.
He's won some awards. He's lost some, too. Winning is better, but does it really matter? What matters is the work and its impact. Here are some of his stories that matter: ; ; ; ; ; ; .
He believes that journalism should hold the powerful to account and shed light on misunderstood and underserved populations. Much of his work has focused on people with disabilities. His coverage of systemic civil rights violations by a wealthy public school system against students with disabilities ended in numerous resignations and state legislation to address the flaws exposed. His report on toxic led to independently call for an investigation into the EPA. The documentary on deafness, called “,” has been described as the most multimedia project in the 40-plus year history of ϳԹ.
The intersection of race, disability, and behavior is also a topic of interest, as are the various forms of cultural expression, and how they're often mischaracterized and misunderstood.
In addition to education coverage, he's reported on environmental topics, such as human waste and the , and a dangerous . He's also reported on ; during a hate crime trial; the in Ferguson, Mo. Some of these stories have led to congressional investigations and actual legislation at the state level. His work has appeared on NPR, Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting, and numerous local and regional newspapers.
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Shawn and Shane Brooks had a problem. They'd been accepted into Morehouse College, excited to attend the same school as Martin Luther King Jr. and other…
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A state investigation into Norwalk's special education program has found that the district has not been following federal law, but the findings reflect…
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Families in ϳԹ and across the country who are here illegally are bracing for raids this weekend, as agents with Immigration and Customs…
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A former federal prosecutor said the 2008 deal handed out to accused child molester Jeffrey Epstein in Florida is "completely unheard of."For over a…
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The head of Newman's Own Foundation has been ousted from his position after allegations of misconduct from employees, though the nature of the misconduct…
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There's currently a $12 million hole in the state's community college budget for next year, and the gap is expected to widen in the coming years if…
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Nearly 200 Hartford students will be spending the rest of their summer working, thanks to a paid internship program funded by the state and several…
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The two people being charged with evidence tampering in the case of a missing New Canaan woman pleaded not guilty Tuesday in Stamford Superior Court.Fotis…
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With ϳԹ's legislative session now over, there were a few bills passed that impact education issues in the state, and some that didn’t make it…
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A textbook being used in Hartford middle schools gives equal weight to an argument against climate change, despite the vast majority of scientists who say…