The 74

Business Profile

Core Value Proposition

The 74 provides no-paywall, essential education news and commentary, delivering data-driven, investigative journalism on U.S. education from early childhood through college and career.

Target Customer

Educators, students, parents, school leaders, policymakers, researchers, and education-focused readers in the United States seeking informed, evidence-based reporting on education issues.

Key Differentiator

A nonprofit, no-paywall journalism outlet focused specifically on education, backed by data, investigation, and expertise, with dedicated verticals (e.g., zero2eight) and a emphasis on students, teachers, and system-wide solutions.

Implementation Timeline

Immediate value upon access with continuous updates; newsletters packaged and delivered on a regular schedule (daily, biweekly, etc.).

Pain Points

1Difficulty accessing rigorous, fact-based education reporting due to political polarization and misinformation
2Learning loss and equity concerns amplified by the pandemic require authoritative analysis and solutions
3Fragmented education coverage across outlets; need a centralized source dedicated to education policy, practice, and outcomes

Key Features

1No paywall; free access to news, analysis, and commentary
2Daily news coverage plus specialized newsletters (e.g., The 74 Daily, The Catch-Up, LA School Report)
3Investigative reporting and expert commentary on K-12, higher education, and related policies
4Verticals and series such as zero2eight (early care for ages 0–8) and The 74 Interview

Target Customer Industries

Decision Makers

1Investigative reporter

Client Results

1Readers gain a clearer, data-backed understanding of education issues
2Policymakers and educators are exposed to solutions and accountability opportunities
3Increased accessibility to high-quality education journalism (no paywall)

Competitive Advantages

1No paywall and free access to all readers
2Nonprofit model backed by data, investigation, and expertise
3Dedicated education focus across a broad spectrum (K-12 to career) with diverse formats (news, analysis, opinion, video, interviews)
4Continuously updated content and targeted newsletters for timely information

Key Benefits

1Free, unfettered access to essential education coverage

2In-depth reporting on policy, schools, and learning outcomes

3Regular newsletters and expert analysis to inform decision-making

4Coverage across multiple education sectors, from early childhood to postsecondary

Additional Product Information

Product Description

A nonprofit news outlet covering America’s education system from early childhood through college and career, providing news, analysis, investigation, and multimedia reporting; includes verticals like zero2eight and a suite of newsletters.

Target Market

Educators, students, parents, school and district leaders, researchers, policymakers, and education advocates in the U.S.

Unique Value Proposition

Independent, fact-based education journalism without paywalls, centered on students and teachers, and amplified by data-driven reporting, expert opinions, and accessible multimedia content.

Technical Requirements

Online access required; newsletters available through The 74 site; some verticals (e.g., zero2eight) use Substack for newsletters;

Pricing Model

Free access supported by donations and philanthropic/nonprofit funding; no paywall for readers

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