Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum

2002 Reports

Report: Risky Care for Foster Kids - Gotbaum Proposes Policy & Practice Changes to Protect Children and Families - Report Reveals Half of Child Fatalities Avoidable, Identifies Shortfalls within Administration for Children’s Services. (pdf 1.3 M)
Also see the press release

Pushing Out At-Risk Students: An Analysis of High School Discharge Figures - An alarming number of high schools students are leaving New York City public schools without graduating. It appears that in some cases school officials are encouraging students to leave regular high school programs even though they are of school age or have a right to receive appropriate literacy, support, and educational services through the public school system. (pdf 94k)

The Public Advocate: Solving Everyday Problems - Annual Report 2001-2002 - 11/11/02 - Every year the Public Advocate issues a report on the progress the office has made over the past twelve months. This reports spans the entire fiscal year 2002. Plus: Letter from Betsy Gotbaum, Full Report (pdf 455k)

School Crowding - 11/7/02 - This report describes current school overcrowding and the progress the school system is making in building new seats. The Public Advocate and Independent Budget Office's recent studies of class crowding in elementary grades highlight the importance of creating new seats in the most overcrowded parts of the city. (pdf 51k)

Starting the Day Hungry: New York City's Participation
in the School Breakfast Program - 10/30/02 - Over eight million school children nationally participate in the federally-funded School Breakfast Program. In New York State, 462,791 children participate in the program. In New York City, 151,114 children receive breakfast at school. (pdf 39k)

Just Getting By - 10/2/02 - Continuing an investigation into the hunger crisis in New York City, Public Advocate Betsy release a report today that reveals a huge gap between the city's ability to provide food to its neediest seniors and their need for meals. (pdf 108k) Plus: Summary Chart of Senior Needs and Services. Also see the Press Release

Crowded classes How 4th, 5th and 6th Graders are Left Behind - 10/1/02- Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum released a report that highlighted the slow progress made in decreasing classroom size for students in kindergarten through 6th grade. (pdf 25k) Also see the Press Release

Stamping Out Hunger - 9/4/02 - Recent public attention has focused on increasing homelessness in New York City. This report reveals that New York City's low income residents are not fully participating in food stamp programs, further aggravating an already troubling situation. (pdf 29k)
Also see the Press Release

Public Advocate Announces Proposal to Fight Violence Against Women - 7/22/02 - Public Advocate Gotbaum highlighted the 5 percent spike in rapes this year and unveiled four recommendations that will help fight sexual assault crimes against women. (pdf 17k)

Report Advises Mayor about Steps Required for Reform in School Construction - 6/17/02 - Public Advocate Gotbaum will sponsor City Council legislation to assure that demographics not politics dominate new school construction.

Many of these documents require the widely available Adobe Acrobat. If you don't have it, it is available for free download here .