Identify the science underpinning policy decisions and evaluate claims critically.

Stories on the actions of local governing bodies such as the city council or school board, and on the stakes of local elections, are mainstays of community reporting. With a little legwork, journalists can identify the science at play in local policymaking. For example, a proposed infrastructure project, the implementation of a new literacy curriculum in schools, or changes in citywide recycling regulations all have underlying evidence and data worth covering. Explore how to evaluate the science behind these policies and their real-world impacts on your community.