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| New York Today: A Back-to-School Preview | New York Today: A Back-to-School Preview |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| Good morning on this heated Wednesday. | Good morning on this heated Wednesday. |
| More than one million New York City children head back to school today. | More than one million New York City children head back to school today. |
| Eliza Shapiro, who covers education for the Metro desk, filled us in on the biggest issues facing city public schools as their new chancellor, Richard A. Carranza, embarks on his first full year at the helm of our school district — the largest in the country. | Eliza Shapiro, who covers education for the Metro desk, filled us in on the biggest issues facing city public schools as their new chancellor, Richard A. Carranza, embarks on his first full year at the helm of our school district — the largest in the country. |
| “The pressure will be on him this fall to back up his rhetoric with citywide plans for change in some of the areas he has identified as problematic,” Ms. Shapiro said. | “The pressure will be on him this fall to back up his rhetoric with citywide plans for change in some of the areas he has identified as problematic,” Ms. Shapiro said. |
| Most prominently: segregation. | Most prominently: segregation. |
| “New York is seen as a politically liberal bastion, and in the last year in particular, the fact that New York schools are some of the most segregated in the country has complicated New York’s vision of itself as this beacon,” Ms. Shapiro said. | “New York is seen as a politically liberal bastion, and in the last year in particular, the fact that New York schools are some of the most segregated in the country has complicated New York’s vision of itself as this beacon,” Ms. Shapiro said. |
| “And Carranza, who has never lived in New York — he moved here only five months ago — has taken on the role of telling New Yorkers, ‘Because your schools are so segregated, you’re not quite as progressive as you might think you are.’” | “And Carranza, who has never lived in New York — he moved here only five months ago — has taken on the role of telling New Yorkers, ‘Because your schools are so segregated, you’re not quite as progressive as you might think you are.’” |
| (There is talk that he will present a citywide desegregation plan in December, but specifics remain unclear.) | (There is talk that he will present a citywide desegregation plan in December, but specifics remain unclear.) |
| Where does Mayor Bill de Blasio fit into all of this? | Where does Mayor Bill de Blasio fit into all of this? |
| Racial separation is a topic that the mayor has largely dodged. | Racial separation is a topic that the mayor has largely dodged. |
| “Carranza has used much blunter language on the ills of segregation than his boss has,” Ms. Shapiro said. “De Blasio has been much more cautious in his language — famously, he has tried to avoid the word ‘segregation’ in his discourse, instead referring to schools as being diverse or not diverse.” | “Carranza has used much blunter language on the ills of segregation than his boss has,” Ms. Shapiro said. “De Blasio has been much more cautious in his language — famously, he has tried to avoid the word ‘segregation’ in his discourse, instead referring to schools as being diverse or not diverse.” |
| Some advocates have criticized the mayor’s soft-pedaling of the subject, pointing out that “city schools are very diverse — there are many kids in them — but the issue is those kids don’t tend to go to school together,” Ms. Shapiro said. | Some advocates have criticized the mayor’s soft-pedaling of the subject, pointing out that “city schools are very diverse — there are many kids in them — but the issue is those kids don’t tend to go to school together,” Ms. Shapiro said. |
| What else must Mr. Carranza contend with this academic year? | What else must Mr. Carranza contend with this academic year? |
| A politicized debate on how to keep schools safe, particularly in the wake of school shootings across the United States. | A politicized debate on how to keep schools safe, particularly in the wake of school shootings across the United States. |
| “Since New York is the largest school district in the country, everyone always looks to the schools here to see how the city is approaching the enormous task of keeping 1,800 schools safe,” Ms. Shapiro said. | “Since New York is the largest school district in the country, everyone always looks to the schools here to see how the city is approaching the enormous task of keeping 1,800 schools safe,” Ms. Shapiro said. |
| “It’s a very political issue that has been heightened after Parkland,” she added, alluding to the school shooting in February in Parkland, Fla., that killed 17. “The city has not focused exclusively on hardening schools with physical security in the way that some other districts have.” | “It’s a very political issue that has been heightened after Parkland,” she added, alluding to the school shooting in February in Parkland, Fla., that killed 17. “The city has not focused exclusively on hardening schools with physical security in the way that some other districts have.” |
| A rising number of homeless students, at a time when the city is failing them. | A rising number of homeless students, at a time when the city is failing them. |
| “New York is in the midst of one of the biggest homeless student crises in its history,” Ms. Shapiro said, with the number of homeless students ballooning alongside the city’s homeless population. | “New York is in the midst of one of the biggest homeless student crises in its history,” Ms. Shapiro said, with the number of homeless students ballooning alongside the city’s homeless population. |
| “The city has dedicated a modest amount of money toward services for those students every year,” she said, “but their scale of need is enormous and there are a lot of questions about whether the city is doing enough.” | “The city has dedicated a modest amount of money toward services for those students every year,” she said, “but their scale of need is enormous and there are a lot of questions about whether the city is doing enough.” |
| And, most imminently, the release of test score data, likely to determine the fate of the mayor’s Renewal program for struggling schools. | And, most imminently, the release of test score data, likely to determine the fate of the mayor’s Renewal program for struggling schools. |
| The future of that plan for low-performing schools — a much-criticized one that has already cost the city more than half a billion dollars — hinges on test scores expected to be announced this month. | The future of that plan for low-performing schools — a much-criticized one that has already cost the city more than half a billion dollars — hinges on test scores expected to be announced this month. |
| “Looking at those test results will give us a pretty strong hint about which schools across the state will be under threat of closure for poor performance,” Ms. Shapiro explained. “We’ll know more about whether the Renewal program for struggling schools is going to morph or survive.” | “Looking at those test results will give us a pretty strong hint about which schools across the state will be under threat of closure for poor performance,” Ms. Shapiro explained. “We’ll know more about whether the Renewal program for struggling schools is going to morph or survive.” |
| More on that in the coming weeks. | More on that in the coming weeks. |
| Here’s what else is happening: | Here’s what else is happening: |
| Ever-sweltering. | Ever-sweltering. |
| A heat advisory is in effect until tonight. | A heat advisory is in effect until tonight. |
| The high nearing 90 will cool to the mid-70s this evening, but the sunshine today will dim to showers and thunderstorms in the second half of the week. | The high nearing 90 will cool to the mid-70s this evening, but the sunshine today will dim to showers and thunderstorms in the second half of the week. |
| • The SHSAT test has been the subject of public debate over its role in school segregation. Here is how it affected some peoples’ lives. [New York Times] | • The SHSAT test has been the subject of public debate over its role in school segregation. Here is how it affected some peoples’ lives. [New York Times] |
| • In 2016, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo ordered an investigation of racial bias in New York prisons. After nearly two years, it still has not ended. [New York Times] | • In 2016, Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo ordered an investigation of racial bias in New York prisons. After nearly two years, it still has not ended. [New York Times] |
| • Randy Credico, a comedian and left-wing political activist, will be questioned by Robert Mueller’s team about Roger Stone, President Trump’s longtime adviser. And he plans on bringing some comic relief with him. [New York Times] | |
| • The New York Times editorial board has endorsed Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in the Democratic primary race for governor. [New York Times] | • The New York Times editorial board has endorsed Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in the Democratic primary race for governor. [New York Times] |
| • Chirlane McCray, New York City’s first lady and wife of Mayor Bill de Blasio, has endorsed Zephyr Teachout for state attorney general. [New York Times] | • Chirlane McCray, New York City’s first lady and wife of Mayor Bill de Blasio, has endorsed Zephyr Teachout for state attorney general. [New York Times] |
| • The chef Fany Gerson is of Jewish heritage, but she was brought up in Mexico City. The result: Matzo balls with a bit of spice. [New York Times] | • The chef Fany Gerson is of Jewish heritage, but she was brought up in Mexico City. The result: Matzo balls with a bit of spice. [New York Times] |
| • One day before school in New York City is set to begin, a bill was signed to bring speed cameras back to school zones. [Brooklyn Daily Eagle] | • One day before school in New York City is set to begin, a bill was signed to bring speed cameras back to school zones. [Brooklyn Daily Eagle] |
| • The M.T.A. has officially placed two tribute signs to Aretha Franklin, on the stops that share her name. [Gothamist] | • The M.T.A. has officially placed two tribute signs to Aretha Franklin, on the stops that share her name. [Gothamist] |
| • For a global look at what’s happening, see Your Morning Briefing. | • For a global look at what’s happening, see Your Morning Briefing. |
| • Learn American Sign Language at the Poe Park Visitor Center in the Bronx. 10:45 a.m. [Free] | • Learn American Sign Language at the Poe Park Visitor Center in the Bronx. 10:45 a.m. [Free] |
| • Bring a headlamp or flashlight to an evening hike at the Greenbelt Nature Center on Staten Island. 6 p.m. [Free] | • Bring a headlamp or flashlight to an evening hike at the Greenbelt Nature Center on Staten Island. 6 p.m. [Free] |
| • An editor of “Revolting New York,” a book about the city’s revolutionary history, discusses the work at the Mid-Manhattan Library in Midtown. 6:30 p.m. [Free] | • An editor of “Revolting New York,” a book about the city’s revolutionary history, discusses the work at the Mid-Manhattan Library in Midtown. 6:30 p.m. [Free] |
| • The photographer Wolfgang Tillmans discusses his projects and life at the New York Public Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building in Midtown. 7 p.m. [$40] | • The photographer Wolfgang Tillmans discusses his projects and life at the New York Public Library’s Stephen A. Schwarzman Building in Midtown. 7 p.m. [$40] |
| • New York City F.C. hosts New England Revolution, 7 p.m. (YES). Mets at Dodgers, 7:35 p.m. (SNY). Yankees at Athletics, 10:05 p.m. (YES). | • New York City F.C. hosts New England Revolution, 7 p.m. (YES). Mets at Dodgers, 7:35 p.m. (SNY). Yankees at Athletics, 10:05 p.m. (YES). |
| • Alternate-side parking remains in effect until Sept. 10. | • Alternate-side parking remains in effect until Sept. 10. |
| • For more events, see The New York Times’s Arts & Entertainment guide. | • For more events, see The New York Times’s Arts & Entertainment guide. |
| Letter to the late John Ashbery | Letter to the late John Ashbery |
| Dear Diary: | Dear Diary: |
| Real art is detectable, palpable, awakening the eye, ear and soul. It offers connection to a place deep within. | Real art is detectable, palpable, awakening the eye, ear and soul. It offers connection to a place deep within. |
| you chained me to absurd abstractions, cloudy inferences — infinite word jumbles strung together like puzzles spewed out to bewilder | you chained me to absurd abstractions, cloudy inferences — infinite word jumbles strung together like puzzles spewed out to bewilder |
| you evoked turbulent clashing ghosts, clanging disorienting imagery — your twisted scenarios flitted page after page | you evoked turbulent clashing ghosts, clanging disorienting imagery — your twisted scenarios flitted page after page |
| you spawned language into muddy waters — may your tormented soul heal and the opaque words you spouted grace you with shelter and peace. | you spawned language into muddy waters — may your tormented soul heal and the opaque words you spouted grace you with shelter and peace. |
| — Roberta Curley | — Roberta Curley |
| It’s not easy to forget what it feels like to take an exam that will determine your future. | It’s not easy to forget what it feels like to take an exam that will determine your future. |
| Months of test prep, sleepless nights and that excruciating wait for the results. (And then that recurring nightmare that you missed the test.) | Months of test prep, sleepless nights and that excruciating wait for the results. (And then that recurring nightmare that you missed the test.) |
| We recently asked New Yorkers to recall their experiences taking the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test — the one-day exam that grants entry into one of eight elite public schools in New York City — and if they would change the admissions process into those highly sought-after schools, where black and Hispanic students are grossly underrepresented. | We recently asked New Yorkers to recall their experiences taking the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test — the one-day exam that grants entry into one of eight elite public schools in New York City — and if they would change the admissions process into those highly sought-after schools, where black and Hispanic students are grossly underrepresented. |
| [Read our story highlighting the responses.] | [Read our story highlighting the responses.] |
| The answers to the later topic were somewhat split, even among those who got into one of the schools. Here are a few: | The answers to the later topic were somewhat split, even among those who got into one of the schools. Here are a few: |
| “I absolutely think it should be changed because right now my peers are not representative of the teenagers who live in New York City. Subjective criteria can be introduced into the specialized high schools admissions process without compromising academic rigor.” | “I absolutely think it should be changed because right now my peers are not representative of the teenagers who live in New York City. Subjective criteria can be introduced into the specialized high schools admissions process without compromising academic rigor.” |
| — Ben Platt, 16, of Manhattan, attending Stuyvesant High School | — Ben Platt, 16, of Manhattan, attending Stuyvesant High School |
| “An entrance exam has always been and remains a valid means of successfully identifying these students. Not all students do well on exams given for entrance into a specialized school. This is no reflection on their intelligence or ability to perform academically. Perhaps, if a student who has excelled in school but did not pass the exam is interested in attending a specialized school, some additional criteria could be established based on past performance.” | “An entrance exam has always been and remains a valid means of successfully identifying these students. Not all students do well on exams given for entrance into a specialized school. This is no reflection on their intelligence or ability to perform academically. Perhaps, if a student who has excelled in school but did not pass the exam is interested in attending a specialized school, some additional criteria could be established based on past performance.” |
| — Alan Hecht, 67, of the Bronx, who attended Bronx High School of Science | — Alan Hecht, 67, of the Bronx, who attended Bronx High School of Science |
| “Anyone has the option to take it, to prepare for it with zeal or not at all, and the opportunity to get in. It is not a problem of discrimination but of preparedness and awareness. The score a kid gets on that test is one pure meritocratic and democratic objective criterion that is a good marker for preparedness to thrive in a competitive environment.” | “Anyone has the option to take it, to prepare for it with zeal or not at all, and the opportunity to get in. It is not a problem of discrimination but of preparedness and awareness. The score a kid gets on that test is one pure meritocratic and democratic objective criterion that is a good marker for preparedness to thrive in a competitive environment.” |
| — Heather Hume, 37, of Manhattan, who attended Bronx Science. | — Heather Hume, 37, of Manhattan, who attended Bronx Science. |
| “I think we have enough tests already going in our schools and we need to move to a more holistic admissions process that more fairly recognizes talent, achievement and potential in our minority communities, and not just Asian communities.” | “I think we have enough tests already going in our schools and we need to move to a more holistic admissions process that more fairly recognizes talent, achievement and potential in our minority communities, and not just Asian communities.” |
| — James Saez, 25, of the Bronx, who attended Francis Lewis High School | — James Saez, 25, of the Bronx, who attended Francis Lewis High School |
| “If we parallel this to what metrics colleges use to determine admission, test taking simply can’t be the only metric for entry into the N.Y.C. specialized high school system.” | “If we parallel this to what metrics colleges use to determine admission, test taking simply can’t be the only metric for entry into the N.Y.C. specialized high school system.” |
| — Kion Sawney, 28, of Jamaica, Queens, who attended the High School for Math Science and Engineering | — Kion Sawney, 28, of Jamaica, Queens, who attended the High School for Math Science and Engineering |
| New York Today is a morning roundup that is published weekdays at 6 a.m. If you don’t get it in your inbox already, you can sign up to receive it by email here. | New York Today is a morning roundup that is published weekdays at 6 a.m. If you don’t get it in your inbox already, you can sign up to receive it by email here. |
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| What would you like to see here to start your day? Post a comment, email us at nytoday@nytimes.com, or reach us via Twitter using #NYToday. | What would you like to see here to start your day? Post a comment, email us at nytoday@nytimes.com, or reach us via Twitter using #NYToday. |
| Follow the New York Today columnists, Alexandra S. Levine and Jonathan Wolfe, on Twitter. | Follow the New York Today columnists, Alexandra S. Levine and Jonathan Wolfe, on Twitter. |
| You can find the latest New York Today at nytoday.com. | You can find the latest New York Today at nytoday.com. |
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