Tag: assembly

  • A10731: We have a new bill!

    This new bill calls for the repeal of the Hecht-Calandra Act. At present, there are nine specialized high schools in New York City, one of which – Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts – focuses on the arts. The other eight schools are The Bronx High School of Science,…

  • High-Stakes Standardized Testing Supporter: Aravella Simotas

    Name: Aravella SimotasAssembly Link: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Aravella-SimotasBallotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/Aravella_Simotas Phone: 718-545-3889 Although frequently virtue-signaling in public, Assemblymember Simotas has been a firm supporter of keeping the SHSAT high-stakes exam as the sole admissions criteria in NYC public specialized high schools. Media: From: “Aravella Simotas” <[email protected]>Date: June 27, 2019 at 12:19:40 PM EDTTo: [Redacted]Subject: RE: Please OPPOSE A2173 on…

  • Elite High-School Debate Simmers as Albany Session Winds Down

    They got some relief Wednesday when Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, a Bronx Democrat who attended Brooklyn Technical High School, told reporters he isn’t considering a deal to pass that bill in return for other changes, such as boosting gifted programs. “I think we should be looking to enrich our junior high-school students as we try…

  • Dr. Jon Taylor Testifies at NYS Assembly Hearing on the SHSAT

    Dr. Jonathan Taylor’s testimony, without the following question and answer with elected officials. The entire seven hour hearing can be found here…

  • Chancellor Carranza Testifies at NYS Assembly Hearing on the SHSAT

    Here’s the Chancellor’s initial testimony, without the following question and answer with elected officials. The entire seven hour hearing can be found here…

  • High-Stakes Standardized Testing Supporter: Latrice Walker

    Name: Latrice Walker Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/Latrice_Walker Assembly: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Latrice-Walker Phone: 718-342-1256 Assemblymember Latrice Walker advocates for keeping the SHSAT exam as the sole admission’s criteria in New York City specialized high schools. Even as Assemblymember Walker’s district compromises many students who have shown their academic merit but will never have a chance to attend a public specialized…

  • 5-10-19 Public Hearing on Specialized High Schools

    The NY State Assembly had its first hearing on SHSAT exam. The hearing brought together activists, scientists, politicians and city hall employees all to discuss Hecht-Calandra and the exam it authorized. Follow the link below for the over 7 hours of testimony. https://nystateassembly.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=8&clip_id=5117

  • High-Stakes Standardized Testing Supporter: William Colton

    Name: William ColtonAssembly Link: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/William-Colton/ Ballotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/William_Colton Phone: 718-236-1598 Assembly-member William Colton is a proponent of keeping the SHSAT exam as the SOLE measure of merit for access to Specialized High Schools. Media: Assembly-member Colton conveniently leaves out the fact that NYC’s gifted & talented programs actually increase segregation. Parents from across the city opportunity…

  • High-Stakes Standardized Testing Supporter: Yuh-Line Niou

    Name: Yuh-Line NiouAssembly Link: https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Yuh-Line-NiouBallotpedia: https://ballotpedia.org/Yuh-Line_NiouPhone: 212-312-1420 Assembly-member Yuh-Line Niou is a proponent of keeping the SHSAT exam as the SOLE measure of merit for access to Specialized High Schools. Although her website claims to be against standardized testing, this is false. Speaker Heastie reported that assembly-member Niou was one of the key assembly-members to lobby against allowing…

  • My journey shows why specialized high school admissions must change

    With a sense of tragic déjà vu, reactionary forces are once again pushing back against any proposed integration of prestigious, but largely segregated, schools. This development is so predictable that it would be comical – were it not for the terrible consequences. Already, several irate New Yorkers have called my district office to voice their…