I keep following the news on those formerly outstanding academic high schools. We’ve spoken about Bronx Science, Brooklyn Tech, and Thomas Jefferson. And, as far as I am concerned, the value of these schools- for our brightest kids AND improving our world positions- has been diminished by these politically based interlocutions.
In what I-(and many others) consider a hare-brained idea, the administrators have elected to remove the requirements for higher academic performance, entrance exams, and the like. Like that will allow these schools to continue to produce the outstanding STEM or artistic types they’ve yielded in the past.
Which is probably why the City of New York York has just decided to return to the old method of choosing students for the “SuperSchools”. IT turns out that choosing students based upon racial and economic diversity doesn’t provide the environment to develop the capabilities of our most adept students.
(That discarded plan was what was adopted by the prior NYC mayor, Bill de Blasio. Students entering high school were placed into tiers, with the top tier (~60% of all the students) got first dibs- and the selective schools chose their students from this pool. But, there were way too many kids included in that top tier.)
Under the new program, the tier size will be cut (students must be in the top 15% of their school or their overall city population- and have at least 90% academic grades). The system will still chose the students for the SuperSchools by lottery- but from a more select academic performance rating. You probably noticed that test scores (as determined by admission tests) is no longer among the selection criteria, though.
(There may be another reason for the reversion by NY City. A fair amount of parents have been electing to pull their children from the city system and placing them in private schools.)
The City of New York plans to allow the 32 school districts the option to choose admission criteria based upon best grades and other metrics. There still will be a lottery- but for a smaller group of “top” students to help them get into the better schools. And, this program will also be used for middle school admissions, not just the elite high schools. (In New York City, students are required to apply to the 900 or so middle and high schools, where selection is based upon behavior patterns, attendance, test scores, and academic grades.)
While some parents are complaining, NY City School Chancellor David Banks completely rejects the premise that minority students can’t compete and succeed with the higher standards in place.
Besides NY City and Northern Virginia, other school systems have flirted with the lottery system for their elite programs. Lowell High School in San Francisco has also returned to the merit based selection- especially after several school board members were recalled over that change.
We need to support our best and brightest. They are vital American resources for the future.
It’s great to see so many students cxcel, but sad if they can’t get into the right program to keep them achieving. Hopefully the ones that don’t get chosen can get advance studies in the regular schools.
I’m with you on that entire compound sentiment, Martha! Thanks for the visit and the comment.
Perhaps a hybrid system that would allow for some outliers to take advantage of this. So, a ranked system, but a number of slots available by lottery? I worry about students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds who might very well flourish in these programs, but fail at normal schools. I was one of those!
Hmm….
I know that there are some folks who can really muster up when presented new opportunities. And, they deserve a shot- but there are complications when that person may hold back a class. I think the G&T opportunities in each school is the better vehicle for them- and if then can demonstrate they can handle more- then a lateral transfer to a SuperSchool would definitely be in order, Diane.
What think you?
This article is fascinating. I don’t have children and don’t live in NY so I had never really had a thought about those types of schools (or any schools really, I guess.) Based on the information here, I don’t like this idea of a lottery system. There will be students who miss out solely because of probability, who knows who could be turned away, what opportunities they could have been afforded/change they could have made in the world….
I’ve spent a good amount of my professional career in US Immigration, where they hold a lottery most years to determine who gets the chance to submit for a certain visa type. I understand that there are a limited number of visas, just like I understand there are a limited number of seats for any given grade each year, however, I think this is leaving too much to chance. The students, like the visa holders, should have their relevant details reviewed and they should be assessed as such, not just tossed into a hat and see whose name gets pulled out.
Maybe I’m far off base here, but that’s what came up after reading. Thanks for getting me thinking about this, Roy!
Loved your addition to the conversation, Kimberly. Thanks so much!
I entered Bronx Science (via entrance exam and who knows what other criteria) in the fall of 1967. I was grateful (and surprised, as my strengths and skills lie within the humanities, not math or science). Reading the Wikipedia article on Bronx Science, I’m not sure I would have made it through their current program. But I’m confused. NYC students have to apply to their middle school? You don’t just go to your district’s middle school? Just as an aside, the same Wikipedia article I referenced earlier also made mention of an entrance exam to get into Science, and I’m wondering if this article needs a bit of updating.
I am sure the Wikipedia needs updating, Alana.
The answer to your middle school question is that neighborhood schools are fine, but to choose another one (either advanced to with special subject offerings) requires an applicaton.