Helen Zelon, Author at City Limits

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In chapter 5 of our investigation of New York City Family Court, we look at past reform efforts and survey judges, lawyers, advocates and parents on how they think the…

ByHelen Zelon 14 minRead time

01

Jun 2012

Government Justice

'Kinship' Approach Shows Promise

New York recently began trying to get more children who were removed from their homes placed in guardianship relationships with other relatives. While there are potential pitfalls, the approach can…

ByHelen Zelon 3 minRead time

01

Jun 2012

Government Justice

A Separate System With Special Rules

A lower threshold for judgment, different standards of evidence, a shift in the burden of proof and no Fifth Amendment protection—these and other features of Family Court set it apart…

ByHelen Zelon 9 minRead time

01

Jun 2012

Economy Government

When Delays Dominate, Kids Lose

Chapter two of our Family Court investigation focuses on the courtrooms that handle custody and child support, where many people try to navigate complex legal lingo without a lawyer, and…

ByHelen Zelon 24 minRead time

01

Jun 2012

Government Justice

From Mom to Not in Seven Minutes: Inside Family Court

City Limits spent months observing Family Court and found an overburdened system where delays were endemic, legal help was scarce and the approach to solving family problems was divided. This…

ByHelen Zelon 12 minRead time

16

Dec 2011

Education

Flat Gains on U.S. Tests Clash with Picture of Progress in NYC

New York school officials claim city students are making consistent gains, even in the face of national scores that suggest little progress over the past two years.

ByHelen Zelon 12 minRead time

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Dec 2011

Education Investigations

Schools Targeted for Closure Serve Kids with Higher Needs

Schools on the new DOE closure list serve more low-income, special ed and English-learning students than the system as a whole. Is the city simply fighting for poor kids to…

ByHelen Zelon 5 minRead time

27

Oct 2011

Education

School Progress Reports Suggest Grad Rate Trouble Ahead

The DOE’s report cards are out for high schools. Amid higher standards, fewer schools notched the highest grades. With graduation criteria about to tighten, what do the numbers bode for…

ByHelen Zelon 8 minRead time

26

Oct 2011

Education

2 Schools, 1 Space: Scars Linger from Controversy on Adelphi Street

The elementary school and the middle school shared a building without strife. But when one school felt compelled to grow, tensions arose around race, class and space.

ByHelen Zelon 18 minRead time

14

Oct 2011

Government Justice

Report: Shift in Child Welfare Policy Undermined by Budget Moves

The IBO depicts a profound change at the Administration for Children’s Services, with preventive offerings replacing foster care as the agency’s go-to policy. But questionable budget decisions undercut the impact…

ByHelen Zelon 10 minRead time

Helen Zelon

React, Reform, Repeat: A Round of Change Faces Family Court

'Kinship' Approach Shows Promise

A Separate System With Special Rules

When Delays Dominate, Kids Lose

From Mom to Not in Seven Minutes: Inside Family Court

Flat Gains on U.S. Tests Clash with Picture of Progress in NYC

Schools Targeted for Closure Serve Kids with Higher Needs

School Progress Reports Suggest Grad Rate Trouble Ahead

2 Schools, 1 Space: Scars Linger from Controversy on Adelphi Street

Report: Shift in Child Welfare Policy Undermined by Budget Moves

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Helen Zelon

Newsletter

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