Journalism Fellowships in Child and Family Policy

Selected Works

Through conference briefings and independent research, the fellowships inform or directly result in a wide range of works. These appear in print and broadcast, online, on video and on film. The following articles have grown out of the Journalism Fellowships in Child and Family Policy and represent only a small sample of the fellows' output.

"The lesson," Milwaukee Magazine, May 2005. Mary Van de Kamp Nohl (Class of 2004) tells a tale of two elementary schools with similar demographics but wide disparities in student achievement—and looks at what makes a school successful.

"Drugged into submission," The Columbus Dispatch, April 24 and 25. A three-month investigation by Encarnacion Pyle (Class of 2004) sheds light on controversial practices involving the chemical restraint of mentally ill children in Ohio. Few of these potent medications have been tested on kids.

"Migrants no more," Mother Jones, November/December 2004. Maggie Jones (Class of 2003) looks at the stark poverty that has emerged in California's San Joaquin Valley, where Mexicans who used to travel back and forth across the U.S. border have settled.

"Too immature for the death penalty?" The New York Times Magazine, Oct. 17, 2004. Science writer Paul Raeburn (2004) examines new medical insights into the teenage brain and how they influence the debate over whether teens should be eligible for the death penalty.

“The new Yankees,” Mother Jones, March/April 2004. Maggie Jones (Class of 2003) reports on how the influx of Somali refugees into sleepy Lewiston, Maine, has awakened economic growth, strained schools and social services, and sparked debate over immigration. How have longtime residents and recent arrivals dealt with their differences?

"The new Iowans," Des Moines Register, Feb. 1-3, 2004. Lee Rood (2003) explores the impact of new arrivals – primarily from Chicago – on Iowa and its schools, social services, housing stock, workforce and economy.

"Schools cope with poverty, mobility," Des Moines Register, Feb. 1-3, 2004. Lee Rood (2003) explores the impact of new arrivals – primarily from Chicago – on Iowa and its schools, social services, housing stock, workforce and economy.

"The disappearing school board," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Nov. 30, 2003. In this two-part series, Jane Elizabeth (2003) assesses boards' shifting roles and relevance in education.

"The war off drugs," Salon, June 26, 2003. Nell Bernstein (2002) examines the success of a California measure that offers drug offenders treatment before prison.

“The school that stopped bullies,” Reader’s Digest, Jan. 2003. Rob Waters (2001) looks at efforts to curb aggression among students.

"The drug war's littlest victims," Salon, Oct. 30, 2002. Nell Bernstein (Class of 2002) explores measures to put drug abusers in rehab instead of jail - and how this affects their kids.

"Condition critical," The Spokesman-Review, Sept. 29, 2002. Jonathan Martin (2001) tracks how dwindling health-care resources imperil mentally ill youths in Washington and Idaho. First of a four-part series called "Lost Children."

"School closings, lax oversight lead to record long bus rides," The (Charleston, W.Va.) Gazette, Aug. 25, 2002. Eric Eyre (2002) and Scott Finn detail the disappointing legacy of school consolidation in West Virginia in this first installment of "Closing costs." In February, the investigative series was named best in its category in the Education Writers Association's 2002 awards (http://www.ewa.org/offers/contest/2002.htm).

    "Reading, writing and 100 percent juice," The Philadelphia Inquirer Magazine, May 19, 2002. Medical writer Marian Uhlman (2001) documents two North Philadelphia schools' struggles to promote nutrition and exercise in a fast-food, push-button world.

    "For tribes, traditions may be key to a healthier future," special to The Washington Post, April 9, 2002. Mary Annette Pember (2001) photographs and reports on efforts to curb type 2 diabetes among Native Americans.

    "Open justice: The trend toward opening juvenile court is now gaining momentum," Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Sept. 23, 2001. Barbara White Stack (2000) examines the impact of conducting abuse and neglect hearings in secrecy or in public. First in a three-part series.