Read the PBS News Student Reporting Labs 2024-25 Community Report

A note from Leah Clapman, Founder and Executive Director:

Our third annual community report comes at a pivotal moment for public media. Federal funding for PBS has been eliminated and press freedoms are under threat.

While SRL lost 10% of our annual budget, we continue serving our community through our regular programs, sustained by foundation grants and individual donors who believe in our mission to grow student journalism across the country. 

In times of disruption, young people’s voices are essential. Anyone who’s been in a classroom recently knows that students and their teachers are under immense pressure. That’s why SRL is doubling down to support educators who spark a love of journalism, teach students to be empathetic and trustworthy, and facilitate civic participation.

Before I close, a note of deep gratitude for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which took a chance by funding the Student Reporting Labs pilot in 2009 and kept the program going for over a decade. 

This work continues because democracy depends on informed and engaged participants, and there is no better investment than empowering the next generation of storytellers to speak out, bear witness, ask hard questions and search for solutions.

To all the SRL students, teachers, supporters, funders and champions: THANK YOU. You keep us going.