Authorizes the board of education of the city school district of the city of New York to establish standards for admission to special high schools

Summary of specific provision

Section 1. Subdivision 4 of section 2590-g of the education law is amended to read:

4. Provided, further, the city board shall establish procedures and standards for the admission to the special high schools of the city district, including the grade point averages of applicants, personal statements of interest submitted by applicants and such other factors as the city board shall determine to be necessary.

§ S. Subdivision 2 of section 2590-g of the education law is amended to read as follows: Provided further, the city board shall establish procedures and standards for the admission to the special high schools of the city district including the grade point averages of applicants, personal statements of interest submitted by the applicants and such other factors as the city board shall determine to be necessary

§ 5. This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law, except that sections two and four of this act shall take effect on the same date as sections 2590-g and 2509-h of the education law expire and revert pursuant to chapter 354 of the laws of 2009, as amended, when upon such date sections one and three of this act shall be deemed repealed, provided, further, that effective immediately any actions necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be completed on or before such date.

Justification

Students seeking admission into one of New York City specialized high schools must take the SHSAT. The results of this exam are the only factor considered for student admission, not grade point average, written statements or letters of recommendation. It is astounding that these high schools can use such antiquated measures of evaluation. Methods that research proves are not accurate measures of student performance, capability or intellect. The MAT is a snap shot of the student and more accurately measures their test taking

ability than their worthiness of admission into NYC elite public high schools.

Furthermore, using this test as the sole basis for admission further exacerbates the racial gap persistent in the enrollment of these schools. combined white and Asian students account for 70 percent of the students admitted to these schools, conversely Black and Hispanic children make up 72 percent of citywide enrollment in the public school system but only account for 11 percent of the student enrollment at these institutions. Research has consistently shown that minorities perform worse on standardized test than their white counterparts. However, these students are no less capable or intelligent. There has been much research dedicated to the racial gap in standardized testing, it exist.

Our elite colleges and universities use other measures in addition to the SAT for admission. It is only logical that New York City stop relying on the test only for admission and formulate a more common sense policy.

Prior legislative history

This is a new bill.

Fiscal implications

To be determined.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the first of April next succeeding the date on which it shall have become a law, except that sections two and four of this act shall take effect on the same date as sections 2590-g and 2509-h of the education law expire and revert pursuant to chapter 354 of the laws of 2009, as amended, when upon such date sections one and three of this act shall be deemed repealed, provided, further, that effective immediately any actions necessary to implement the provisions of this act on its effective date are authorized and directed to be completed on or before such date.