WASHINGTON, D.C., April 28, 2026 – Bellingham Public Schools has 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 three-year News Literacy District Fellowship provides a $30,000 grant and customized support to integrate news literacy education districtwide, ensuring all students learn to think critically about news and information.
“Our strategic plan, The Bellingham Promise, commits to developing graduates who are skilled users of technology and information and well-rounded, engaged members of their communities. In a world full of online falsehoods, the News Literacy Project’s District Fellowship program provides our educators with the tools they need to teach students lasting skills in news and media literacy,” said Dr. Bill Palmer, director of teaching and learning for technology integration at Bellingham Public Schools. “These skills will serve our young people well in school, in their future and in the workplace.”
Now in its fifth year, the News Literacy Project’s District Fellowship program spans 44 districts across 16 states, with the potential to reach more than 1.45 million students. Bellingham is a pioneer in the state. As the first district in Washington to be accepted to the program, education leaders will build a blueprint for other schools to follow as support for news literacy instruction gains momentum nationwide.
“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. “Bellingham is preparing students for today’s information environment and setting an example for the state to follow.”
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.