Tag: history
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Boundary Matters: Uncovering the Hidden History of New York City’s School Subdistrict Lines
While today’s school subdistrict boundaries were mostly established in the late 1960s, their historical roots are much older, dating back to the beginning of the 20th century, when New York City as we know it today was formed by consolidating what are now the five boroughs—the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island—into one unit.…
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Brown’s Lost Promise: Segregation & Affirmative Action In New York City Specialized High Schools
New York City is one of the most diverse cities in the United States. However, its schools remain some of the most segregated. The crown jewel of the City’s public education system, Specialized High Schools, are among the nation’s top public institutions. But in a city where over 60 percent of children are Black or…
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The WAVE: School Scope – Those SHSAT Tests, Part 1
This opinion piece dates SHSAT test prep to the 1950s. Of course, the entrance exam was not called “SHSAT” back then, and there was one exam per school. When I was an 8th grade student in the 1957-58 school year at George Gershwin JHS, a jewel of a school recently opened on Linden Blvd in…
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The History of New York City’s Special High Schools
A 2014 timeline of SHSAT related events. 2014 – New York City Council Introduces Package of Legislation to Promote Diversity in City SchoolsOn Wednesday, October 22nd, New York City Council members introduced one bill and two resolutions intended to build momentum around tackling diversity issues in New York City schools. According to recent reports, such as one…
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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…
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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…
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Segregation Has Been the Story of New York City’s Schools for 50 Years
It’s important to understand the political climate before the NY State legislature decided to pass Hecht-Calandra in 1971. The New York Times does a great job filing in that context. In 2016, a proposal to send some Upper West Side children — who were zoned for a high-performing, mostly white, wealthy elementary school near their…
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Important Technical Features of the SHSAT Exam
Recently @akilbello went over some very important open questions regarding the SHSAT. These remind us of how important it is for the NYC Department of Education to immediately release the SHSAT manual. Read the lengthy twitter thread here.
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Why Did New York’s Most Selective Public High School Admit Only 7 Black Students?
Nearly 900 students have been offered admission to one of New York City’s most elite public high schools. Only seven of those students are black. New York Times podcast on the SHSAT issue. Audio program reviews SHSAT history to current politics. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/02/podcasts/the-daily/black-students-nyc-high-school.html
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NAACP 2012 Case: New York City Specialized High School Complaint
In school districts across the nation, talented African Americans and other students of color are denied a fair opportunity to gain access to the life-changing educational experiences provided by specialized schools for high-achieving students and gifted/talented education programs. As a result, elite public schools and programs, which provide key pathways to college and then to…