Patricia Willens
WNYC
New York, NY, United States
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Past articles by Patricia:
Answers to Your Biggest Questions For the Next NJ Governor
You sent us hundreds of questions about the New Jersey governor's race. We got you some answers. → Read More
Voting Block: Downtown Newark Locals Grapple With Growth
Small business owners on Halsey Street want the next governor to keep investment going in Newark while longtime residents on the block wonder how long they can hang on. → Read More
State Rules Against Success Charter in Pre-K Fight
In the ongoing conflict between the leader of the Success charter school network and New York City, the state hands a win to the mayor and his pre-k program. → Read More
From NY State, With Love: Try Your Kid's Standardized Test Questions
Half of the test questions given to New York students in the third through eighth grades are out. We share a few with you in case you want to stretch those brain muscles a bit. → Read More
De Blasio Panel Offers Blueprint for School Discipline Reforms
As New York City moves from suspending students in favor of keeping them in school, change has been uneven across the system. Now, a high-level team outlines what should happen next. → Read More
City Chef Freshens Up School Lunch Food
New York City schools serve about 950,000 meals a day — breakfast, lunch and after-school. But it's the little things that occupy the city's top chef, like the plates. → Read More
A Mom Who Got So Mad She Got an Education Degree
Lorraine Hexstall was angry about the way her son was being treated in school. While she struggled to help him, she also decided nobody should have to experience the same ordeal. → Read More
A Parent's Guide to All That 'Ed Tech' In Your Kid's Classroom
We take a look at exactly what tech is in the classroom. Which leads to a bigger question: Why is this tech in the classroom? → Read More
Download the full series #Being12: The Year Everthing Changes
Download this special program on why 12 matters so much. It's a "hot mess" of change. Hear straight from New York City kids — and a few adults — on Being 12. → Read More
Download the full series #Being12: The Year Everthing Changes
Download this special program on why 12 matters so much. It's a "hot mess" of change. Hear straight from New York City kids — and a few adults — on Being 12. → Read More
First Person: Kids share what it's like #Being12 in New York City
Twelve is an age when the world starts opening up. Hear these students sound off on topics like bullying, social media, discipline, dating and friendships. It's not easy being 12. → Read More
Find 'Hidden Gems' Among NYC Middle Schools
A few middle schools get a massive number of applications every year, as if they were the only good options. WNYC unearthed a handful of schools with strong reviews but few applicants. → Read More
Top 12 Things About Being 12 in NYC
Why does 12 matter? Because that kid you saw on the street or subway is going through major physical and psychological changes, buys a lot and represents the changing face of America. → Read More
New York City eases pre-k rules to attract more religious schools, will allow for prayer breaks
Schools that were reluctant to join the city's expansion of pre-k because of instructional guidelines won some leeway, including the right to take prayer breaks during the school day. → Read More
Bond Act Passage Translates to More Seats in NYC Schools
New York City is getting a windfall from the 'smart schools' bond act, to the tune of about $780 million to be spent mostly on making more space in overcrowded schools. → Read More
City's Plan to Turn Around Failing Schools Relies on Community Schools Model
New York City's mayor set a starkly different tone than his predecessor when he laid out a plan to give the city's worst schools three years to improve. → Read More
Study: NYC's Small High Schools Boost College Enrollment Rates
The latest findings from an ongoing review of the small high schools that replaced many of New York's massive schools show more upside, this time in terms of college. → Read More
New Ratings System Eliminates Grades for NYC Schools
New York City Schools Chancellor Carmen Fariña outlined a new way to evaluate schools that minimizes tests scores in favor of more qualitative measures. → Read More
Parents of NYC 5th Graders: Get ready to apply for middle schools with our weekly @SchoolBook emails
The process of applying to a New York City public middle school just got a little easier. If you sign up, we'll send a weekly email to guide you through the process, step by step. → Read More
Eric Garner's Family Presses for Officer's Arrest in Chokehold Case
The Rev. Al Sharpton joined the family of a Staten Island man killed while being detained by the NYPD in calling for legal action. Garner's widow said prosecutors should "do the right thing and give me justice for my husband." → Read More