Back of the Class

“This story matters for thousands of children with disabilities and their families who have been marginalized, pushed aside, and ignored for decades,” Susannah Frame says in this Peabody Conversation after accepting an award for “Back of the Class.” The veteran investigative reporter and her King5 TV colleague Taylor Mirfendereski showed the stunning failures of Washington public schools to provide support and services for students with disabilities, eventually leading the state legislature to prioritize education for all children. “Telling these stories, and showing what life is actually like for the kids who aren’t getting the services they need, is huge. Because without a face, nobody’s going to care about the problem” Mirfendereski notes. Peabody Awards honored the multipart investigation for its comprehensiveness and for profiles of children beyond the struggles with autism, dyslexia, ADHD, and epilepsy.