Keep it or scrap it: Debate rages over specialized high school admissions test

If Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza have their way, the specialized high school admissions process may look very different starting in the next school year.

News 12 Staff

Jun 27, 2019, 9:37 PM

Updated 1,764 days ago

Share:

If Mayor Bill de Blasio and Schools Chancellor Richard Carranza have their way, the specialized high school admissions process may look very different starting in the next school year.
Citing racial disparities in the makeup of the city's specialized high schools, the chancellor's proposal aims to look at alternate admissions procedures that would help more black and Hispanic students be admitted to the city's top public high schools.
Daniel Zaharopol, the executive director of Bridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics, says there is “excellence that is being left on the table and not being nurtured.”
“One of our students is one of the seven black students accepted to Stuyvesant this year. I hope we can take some of the credit, but it’s her skill that got her here.”
That student is 14-year-old Camia King Cupid. She says the admissions test was tough, but she was able to ace it because she was given an opportunity to study more advanced math outside of school through the city’s Discovery program.
She wants the test to stay, but for the city to provide more prep and resources.
“I think that if they prepare the students more for the test, then more black and Latino students would pass,” says Cupid.
The proposal has its opponents – many of them parents who say the changes would target Asian students.
Yifang Chen, one of the plaintiffs of a lawsuit filed against the mayor and chancellor, says that she doesn’t believe the mayor should have the right to “engineer which ethnic group goes to the schools.”
She and other plaintiffs feel that by expanding the Discovery program, the chancellor is discriminating on the basis of race. That program offers a certain amount of seats to low-income students that score just below the cutoff point, which takes seats from those who may have scored higher.
Many other elected officials and advocates oppose the plan for other reasons. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a graduate of Brooklyn Technical High School, says instead of getting rid of the test, the city should develop more opportunities and education for black and Hispanic students.
“I don’t know what school I would have gotten into, much less Brooklyn Tech,” he told News 12. “The only reason I got in was because of the test. I'm concerned there are other people like us who will lose that access point."
 


More from News 12
0:49
Nassau County says it will rework its lease approval process in effort to build resort and casino

Nassau County says it will rework its lease approval process in effort to build resort and casino

1:17
Sunny and cool for Friday; chance for rain late Saturday into Sunday

Sunny and cool for Friday; chance for rain late Saturday into Sunday

2:01
Nassau/Suffolk Autism Society of America hosts special event at Cradle of Aviation Museum

Nassau/Suffolk Autism Society of America hosts special event at Cradle of Aviation Museum

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

1:48
Ducks posthumously honor co-owner during Opening Day

Ducks posthumously honor co-owner during Opening Day

2:01
Students take part in pro-Palestinian protest at Hofstra University

Students take part in pro-Palestinian protest at Hofstra University

1:56
Superintendent: Person accused of making threats to Islip School District in custody

Superintendent: Person accused of making threats to Islip School District in custody

1:54
South Setauket father charged for allegedly abusing infant son

South Setauket father charged for allegedly abusing infant son

1:27
East Meadow School District: Nesconset man accused of lewd act worked as social worker

East Meadow School District: Nesconset man accused of lewd act worked as social worker

2:35
Law enforcement resumes search in Manorville in connection with Gilgo Beach case

Law enforcement resumes search in Manorville in connection with Gilgo Beach case

0:36
11 LIRR employees suspended without pay, accused of submitting fake COVID-19 vaccine cards

11 LIRR employees suspended without pay, accused of submitting fake COVID-19 vaccine cards

0:27
Brent Burns, Dmitry Orlov help Hurricanes hold on to beat Islanders 3-2 for 3-0 series lead

Brent Burns, Dmitry Orlov help Hurricanes hold on to beat Islanders 3-2 for 3-0 series lead

1:13
The East End: Shou Sugi Ban House in Watermill

The East End: Shou Sugi Ban House in Watermill

Ready to explore the great outdoors? These 14 tips can help you stay safe while hiking

Ready to explore the great outdoors? These 14 tips can help you stay safe while hiking

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

2:01
Police: 21-year-old woman fled fatal Massapequa DWI crash in stolen town patrol car

Police: 21-year-old woman fled fatal Massapequa DWI crash in stolen town patrol car

0:20
Police: Hempstead man killed in 3-car crash on Meadowbrook Parkway

Police: Hempstead man killed in 3-car crash on Meadowbrook Parkway

0:21
UBS Arena to host 2024 MTV VMAs in September

UBS Arena to host 2024 MTV VMAs in September

0:26
Court adjourned for two suspects in human remains case

Court adjourned for two suspects in human remains case

0:31
John's Crazy Socks, Guide Dog Foundation unveil world's first tactile Braille socks

John's Crazy Socks, Guide Dog Foundation unveil world's first tactile Braille socks