5
QUEENS WEEKLY, SEPTEMBER 1, 2019
Queens pols slam plan to nix gifted and talented programs
BY BILL PARRY
Queens lawmakers
were alarmed by the
recommendations made
by a blue ribbon panel
selected by Mayor Bill
de Blasio that would
phase out most gifted and
talented programs and
eliminate most selective
admissions in New York
City’s public school
system.
The report, released
by the School Diversity
Advisory Group on
Aug. 27, listed a number
of proposals to help
integrate schools by
ending programs that
enroll mostly white and
Asian students, while
black and Hispanic
students make up the
majority of the city’s
1.1 million public
school students.
Councilman Peter
Koo “wholeheartedly
condemned” the
report that would
eliminate the gifted and
talented programs.
“These classes are
coveted by many students
and parents throughout
the city and need to be
expanded if anything,
not eradicated,” Koo said.
“Yet, instead of working
to increase access for
students in underserved
communities, this
proposal seeks to
completely remove all
opportunities to an
advanced education.
Increasing diversity
and expanding access
to higher education
should not mean
scapegoating success. I
urge the mayor to reject
this proposal.”
During an interview
on MSNBC, de Blasio said
he had not had a chance
to review the report.
QNS reached out to City
Hall and is awaiting
a response.
“Extensive evidence
in this report suggests
that existing screens
and Gifted and Talented
is unfair, unjust and not
necessarily research
based,” the panel wrote.
“As a result, these
programs segregate
students by race, class,
abilities and language and
perpetuate stereotypes
about student potential
and achievement.”
Councilman Barry
Grodenchik called the
idea of phasing out gifted
and talented programs
misguided.
“These programs
allow our best and
brightest children to
f lourish in environments
that appropriately
challenge and engage
these exceptional young
learners,” Grodenchik
said. “Cutting such
programs serves no
constructive purpose;
rather than diversifying
our schools, the
elimination of gifted and
talented programs would
simply drive parents
out of the city’s public
school system, further
exacerbating the racial
divide that the plan
purports to address.”
During a press
conference, Schools
Chancellor Richard
Carranza said, “These
recommendations point
to a future where every
student has access to
rigorous, inspiring,
engaging education,”
adding that “this is not
about lowering the bar,
it’s about giving all of
our students what they
need to meet the bar.”
Grodenchik, a lifelong
Queens resident who grew
up in NYCHA’s Pomonok
Houses and Flushing
while attending Queens
public schools, further
slammed the School
Diversity Advisory
Group’s plans..
“The gifted programs
in my Queens district
are models of diversity,
filled with students
whose families
emigrated from across
the globe, often with the
goal of entering these
specific schools and
programs,” Grodenchik
said. “Instead of
phasing out gifted and
talented programs, we
should be adding more
such programs across
the city, especially in
neighborhoods where
programs that attract
families of gifted children
are scarce. There are
gifted children in every
corner of the city, and it
is our job to provide the
programs that will truly
support and elevate the
leaders of tomorrow,
regardless of their
ZIP codes.”
Reach reporter Bill
Parry by e-mail at bparry@
schnepsmedia.com or by
phone at (718) 260–4538.
Elementary school kids raising hands to teacher, back view
Photo via Getty Images
Turning 65 and ready for Medicare,
or eligible for Medicare and Medicaid?
Call AgeWell New York
718-696-0206 • TTY/TDD 800-662-1220 • agewellnewyork.com
Learn about your Medicare and Medicaid coverage plan options.
Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans
$0 or Low Cost Plan Premiums
Yes
Hours are 7 days a week from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Note: From April 1 to September 30, we may use alternate technologies on Weekends and Federal holidays. AgeWell New
York, LLC is a HMO plan with a Medicare and Medicaid contract. Enrollment in AgeWell New York, LLC depends on contract renewal. ATTENTION: If you do not speak English,
language assistance services, free of charge, are available to you. Call 1-718-696-0206 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220). ATENCIÓN: si habla español, tiene a su disposición servicios
gratuitos de asistencia lingüística. Llame al 1-718-696-0206 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220).�� ������������������������������������������������������������
1-718-696-0206 (TTY: 1-800-662-1220). Assistance services for other languages are also available free of charge at the number above. AgeWell New York complies with
applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of races, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. AgeWell New York cumple con las leyes federales
de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. AgeWell New York��������������������������������
��������������������������������������������������������H4922_YesMM4002_M Accepted 02162019
/schnepsmedia.com
/agewellnewyork.com
