News literacy movement grows with 16 school districts accepted to prestigious fellowship

WASHINGTON, D.C., May 28, 2026 – Sixteen school districts have been accepted for a prestigious fellowship with the News Literacy Project, a nonpartisan nonprofit that helps educators teach students how to find credible information.   

The News Literacy District Fellowship awards $30,000 to district leaders who design and launch a news and media literacy program tailored to their school community’s needs. Over three years, fellows build a sustainable plan to teach every student news literacy skills before they graduate from high school, creating models that other districts can follow.

Now in its fifth year, the fellowship spans 44 districts across 16 states, with the potential to reach more than 1.45 million students. 

“In an era of AI deepfakes and personalized algorithms, news literacy isn’t optional. It’s essential that students learn how to find credible information,” said Ebonee Otoo, Senior Vice President of Social Impact at the News Literacy Project. “These school districts are preparing students for today’s information environment and setting an example for the country to follow.”      

Districts accepted to the fellowship this year include: 

• Academy District 20 —Colorado Springs, Colorado. 
• Bellingham Public Schools, Washington.
• Hampden-Wilbraham Regional School District, Massachusetts.
• McLean County Unit District 5, Illinois.
• Plainfield Community Consolidated School District 202, Illinois.
• Northeastern Utah Educational Services (comprising nine districts and five charter schools).
• Owasso Public Schools, Oklahoma.
• Pittsburgh Public Schools, Pennsylvania.

Interested districts can apply for Cohort 6 here.

About the News Literacy Project

The News Literacy Project is a nonpartisan education nonprofit that works with teachers, school districts, states and community partners like libraries and after-school clubs to ensure students in all 50 states receive news literacy instruction before they graduate from high school. Learn more at www.newslit.org.