News Articles by Beth Fertig

Reforming Middle Schools

March 25, 2004

by Beth Fertig

The controversy surrounding third grade social promotion has gotten a lot of attention lately. But last year about 37 percent of ninth graders weren't promoted to the next grade, largely because the....

Sharpton Campaign: No Decisions Have Been Made

March 04, 2004

by Beth Fertig

Reverend Al Sharpton has said he expects to take his message to the Democratic National Convention regardless of whether he stays in the race. His campaign manager says no decisions have yet been made....

Harlem Voters

February 20, 2004

by Beth Fertig

The Reverend Al Sharpton may be the only New Yorker in the race for President but that doesn't mean he's getting much hometown support. A recent poll found Sharpton with only 4 percent of the New York....

Cost of Educating City's Kids? State to Decide

February 13, 2004

by Beth Fertig

How much money does it take to provide an adequate education for New York City students? Answering that question is up to state lawmakers and the governor. Last year, the state's highest court ordered....

Bush Budget A Mixed Bag

February 04, 2004

by Beth Fertig

President Bush released an election year budget this week that preserves his tax cuts, while holding down government spending. To get a handle on what Mr. Bush's proposal would mean for New York, WNYC....

The Demand for Small Schools

January 16, 2004

by Beth Fertig

The Bloomberg Administration is now in the process of phasing out many of the city's large, failing high schools and replacing them with highly specialized smaller schools. But as WNYC's Beth Fertig r....

Social Promotion

January 15, 2004

by Beth Fertig

Starting this fall, city third graders who don't score high enough on their math and reading tests will not be promoted to the next grade. Schools Chancellor Joel Klein announced the details of this p....

WTC Memorial Jury Chair Speaks Out On Final Design

January 14, 2004

by Beth Fertig

The final design for the World Trade Center Memorial is unveiled on January 14. The 13-member jury announced its selection last week - a design called "Reflecting Absence." Its main features are the f....

NYC To Pay 3 Million to Diallo Family

January 07, 2004

by Beth Fertig

Hear the story on NPR New York City has agreed to pay 3 million dollars to the family of an African immigrant who was fatally shot by police five years ago. Amadou Diallo was killed when police....

High School for Pregnant Teens and Young Mothers

January 06, 2004

by Beth Fertig

The New York City school system has a number of programs for pregnant and parenting teens. There are daycare centers in several high schools. And there are four separate schools just for pregnant teen....

Coming in 2004: A Showdown over School Aid?

January 02, 2004

by Beth Fertig

There may be a showdown in Albany in 2004 over School Aid to New York City, thanks to a ruling by the state's highest court. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more. The order by the Court of Appeals last June ....

School Safety

December 24, 2003

by Beth Fertig

The city's most disorderly high schools and middle schools will be getting more safety agents and police officers next month. Mayor Bloomberg announced the change yesterday as part of his overall plan....

Ed. Advocates Ask State To Fork Out 2 Billion

December 19, 2003

by Beth Fertig

Education groups are calling on the state to fork out an extra 2 billion dollars next year on school aid beyond the 14 billion it's currently spending. The proposal was released yesterday by the Campa....

No Child Left Behind In New York?

December 09, 2003

by Beth Fertig

Eighth graders throughout the city are preparing to take the New York State English exams in January. Testing is a critical piece of the federal No Child Left Behind law, which requires schools to rea....

Memorials Lack Surviving Pieces of Towers

December 02, 2003

by Beth Fertig

The eight new designs for the World Trade Center Memorial are coming under growing criticism on various fronts. WNYC's Beth Fertig has this report on what happened to the original conception of saving....

Memorials Lack Surviving Pieces of Towers

by Beth Fertig

The eight new designs for the World Trade Center Memorial are coming under growing criticism on various fronts. WNYC’s Beth Fertig has this report on what happened to the original conception of sa....

Teachers Air Views on Work Rules

November 21, 2003

by Beth Fertig

City teachers and school employees got to air their views yesterday, in the last of a series of city council hearings about their work rules. Pamela Price Haynes of PS 161 in Harlem said teachers were....

Ballot Question 3 Defeated

November 05, 2003

by Beth Fertig

Mayor Bloomberg's attempt to eliminate party primaries went down in defeat. By a margin of more than 2 to 1, city voters rejected his plan for non partisan elections. WNYC's Beth Fertig has more. Aft....

Interview With Joel Klein

October 31, 2003

by Beth Fertig

Chancellor Joel Klein and Mayor Bloomberg announced today they're planning to open 50 new charter schools over the next 5 years. Charter schools are public schools that have less bureaucratic regulati....

Ballot Question 3: Nonpartisan Elections

October 28, 2003

by Beth Fertig

One week from today, New York City voters will get to decide on a measure that could eliminate the Democratic and Republican primaries. Ballot Question Number 3, offered by Mayor Bloomberg, calls for ....