This article is from the source 'nytimes' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/19/nyregion/nyc-schools-numbers-black-students-diversity-specialized.html

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
This Year, Only 10 Black Students Got Into N.Y.C.’s Top High School This Year, Only 10 Black Students Got Into N.Y.C.’s Top High School
(32 minutes later)
Last year, the news that only a tiny number of black students gained admission into New York City’s most selective public high school, Stuyvesant, touched off a maelstrom about race and merit in the nation’s largest school system.Last year, the news that only a tiny number of black students gained admission into New York City’s most selective public high school, Stuyvesant, touched off a maelstrom about race and merit in the nation’s largest school system.
On Thursday, education officials announced that, one year later, almost nothing had changed: Ten black students got into Stuyvesant, out of a freshman class of roughly 760, up from 7 black students last year. And only 20 Hispanic students gained entry, down from 33 last year.On Thursday, education officials announced that, one year later, almost nothing had changed: Ten black students got into Stuyvesant, out of a freshman class of roughly 760, up from 7 black students last year. And only 20 Hispanic students gained entry, down from 33 last year.
The overall percentage of black and Hispanic students in New York’s eight so-called specialized high schools was essentially flat compared to last year, at around 11 percent. The city’s school system as a whole is about 70 percent black and Hispanic.The overall percentage of black and Hispanic students in New York’s eight so-called specialized high schools was essentially flat compared to last year, at around 11 percent. The city’s school system as a whole is about 70 percent black and Hispanic.
For decades, the only way to gain entrance into the elite schools has been to take a single, high-stakes standardized test administered on one weekend day each fall.For decades, the only way to gain entrance into the elite schools has been to take a single, high-stakes standardized test administered on one weekend day each fall.
About 27,000 eighth graders took the exam this year, and 4,265 children got into one of the schools.About 27,000 eighth graders took the exam this year, and 4,265 children got into one of the schools.
The specialized schools, including Stuyvesant, had about 500 fewer freshman seats available through the exam this year because, under a program called Discovery, about 20 percent of slots were reserved for low-income students who just miss the cutoff score for admission.The specialized schools, including Stuyvesant, had about 500 fewer freshman seats available through the exam this year because, under a program called Discovery, about 20 percent of slots were reserved for low-income students who just miss the cutoff score for admission.
Just over 3 percent of black students who took the schools’ entrance exam scored high enough to receive an offer this year. That percentage is nearly identical to last year’s. The percentage of Hispanic test-takers who received an offer dropped by about a percentage point compared to last year, to 4 percent.Just over 3 percent of black students who took the schools’ entrance exam scored high enough to receive an offer this year. That percentage is nearly identical to last year’s. The percentage of Hispanic test-takers who received an offer dropped by about a percentage point compared to last year, to 4 percent.
By contrast, 26 percent of Asian students and 23 percent of white students who took the exam got into one of the eight schools.By contrast, 26 percent of Asian students and 23 percent of white students who took the exam got into one of the eight schools.
In the past, Asian-American students have benefited most from the program. Asian students make up a majority of the schools’ enrollment.In the past, Asian-American students have benefited most from the program. Asian students make up a majority of the schools’ enrollment.
The latest numbers are sure to prompt renewed calls for diversity in the schools, but the chance that the specialized-schools admissions process will change remains low.The latest numbers are sure to prompt renewed calls for diversity in the schools, but the chance that the specialized-schools admissions process will change remains low.
The school’s alumni organizations, along with scores of Asian-American parents and politicians in particular, have protested Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to eliminate the schools’ entrance exam and replace it with a system that automatically offers seats to top performers at every city middle school.The school’s alumni organizations, along with scores of Asian-American parents and politicians in particular, have protested Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to eliminate the schools’ entrance exam and replace it with a system that automatically offers seats to top performers at every city middle school.
That proposal would likely cut the number of seats for Asian-American students by about half, projections show. Many Asian-American parents were offended that they were not consulted before the mayor announced his plan in June 2018.That proposal would likely cut the number of seats for Asian-American students by about half, projections show. Many Asian-American parents were offended that they were not consulted before the mayor announced his plan in June 2018.
Some specialized school graduates have said they are concerned that getting rid of the exam would fundamentally change the schools for the worse, and have tried to rally their members to oppose any plans to change the test.Some specialized school graduates have said they are concerned that getting rid of the exam would fundamentally change the schools for the worse, and have tried to rally their members to oppose any plans to change the test.
After months of protest and intense lobbying, Mr. de Blasio’s plan, which requires approval from the State Legislature, failed in Albany without so much as a floor vote.After months of protest and intense lobbying, Mr. de Blasio’s plan, which requires approval from the State Legislature, failed in Albany without so much as a floor vote.
Beyond Stuyvesant, the seven other specialized schools did not make much progress on diversity.Beyond Stuyvesant, the seven other specialized schools did not make much progress on diversity.
This year, as last year, only one black student got into Staten Island Technical High School.This year, as last year, only one black student got into Staten Island Technical High School.
The Bronx High School of Science saw its black enrollment double, but the numbers are still tiny: 24 black students got into Bronx Science this year, up from 12 last year. The school’s Hispanic enrollment is almost the same, at 46 students.The Bronx High School of Science saw its black enrollment double, but the numbers are still tiny: 24 black students got into Bronx Science this year, up from 12 last year. The school’s Hispanic enrollment is almost the same, at 46 students.
Though the status quo remains, the debate over the specialized schools has begun to transform the broader conversation about the direction of the nation’s largest public school system.Though the status quo remains, the debate over the specialized schools has begun to transform the broader conversation about the direction of the nation’s largest public school system.
Richard A. Carranza, the city’s schools chancellor, is under frequent attack from newly galvanized Asian-American parents who say they feel discriminated against, deep rifts between the city’s communities of color have been exposed and the prospect of broader desegregation measures has dimmed.Richard A. Carranza, the city’s schools chancellor, is under frequent attack from newly galvanized Asian-American parents who say they feel discriminated against, deep rifts between the city’s communities of color have been exposed and the prospect of broader desegregation measures has dimmed.
Over the last several months, supporters of integration have pushed for more measures, most prominently a plan that would overhaul the city’s separate gifted and talented program, which also has low black and Hispanic enrollment.Over the last several months, supporters of integration have pushed for more measures, most prominently a plan that would overhaul the city’s separate gifted and talented program, which also has low black and Hispanic enrollment.
The program enrolls about 16,000 elementary school students across the city. Children as young as 4 take standardized exams to be eligible for gifted schools, which are considered some of the most desirable schools in the city.The program enrolls about 16,000 elementary school students across the city. Children as young as 4 take standardized exams to be eligible for gifted schools, which are considered some of the most desirable schools in the city.
But Mr. de Blasio quickly distanced himself from an overhaul, and his aides noted that they did not want to take quick action, to avoid a repeat of the debacle over the specialized school exam.But Mr. de Blasio quickly distanced himself from an overhaul, and his aides noted that they did not want to take quick action, to avoid a repeat of the debacle over the specialized school exam.
The latest results validate Mr. Carranza’s prediction that the admissions numbers would barely move with the test still in place. And the statistics are most likely a disappointment to the billionaire cosmetics heir Ronald S. Lauder and his allies, who tried to ramp up test preparation for black and Hispanic eighth graders this year, in the hopes of diversifying the schools without changing the admissions system.The latest results validate Mr. Carranza’s prediction that the admissions numbers would barely move with the test still in place. And the statistics are most likely a disappointment to the billionaire cosmetics heir Ronald S. Lauder and his allies, who tried to ramp up test preparation for black and Hispanic eighth graders this year, in the hopes of diversifying the schools without changing the admissions system.
Mr. Lauder and Richard D. Parsons, former Citigroup chairman, spent over $1 million to pay for intensive lobbying and advertising campaigns against the mayor’s plan. They also spent about $298,000 to provide free test preparation for 206 black and Hispanic eighth graders.Mr. Lauder and Richard D. Parsons, former Citigroup chairman, spent over $1 million to pay for intensive lobbying and advertising campaigns against the mayor’s plan. They also spent about $298,000 to provide free test preparation for 206 black and Hispanic eighth graders.
Asked in October whether he believed the test preparation would make a difference in this year’s results, Mr. Lauder said, “I believe you’ll be very surprised.”Asked in October whether he believed the test preparation would make a difference in this year’s results, Mr. Lauder said, “I believe you’ll be very surprised.”
After the admissions numbers were made public on Thursday, Mr. Lauder said: “The overall admission numbers are a reminder that systemic change is necessary to unlock all kids’ potential.”
Rev. Kirsten John Foy, who is the public face of the so-called Education Equity Campaign, said at the same news conference, “with the investment, we will see the outcome that we desire.”Rev. Kirsten John Foy, who is the public face of the so-called Education Equity Campaign, said at the same news conference, “with the investment, we will see the outcome that we desire.”
But years of city-funded effort to diversify the schools without eliminating the admissions exam — including advertising campaigns to alert students about the schools, the exam and free preparation classes available — have come up short.But years of city-funded effort to diversify the schools without eliminating the admissions exam — including advertising campaigns to alert students about the schools, the exam and free preparation classes available — have come up short.
Though the city’s plan has run into ferocious opposition, there is no monolithic view about the schools from its alumni or current students. Some Asian-American graduates have said they support eliminating the test, and dozens of black and Hispanic alumni with different views about the test have said they are deeply pained by the lack of diversity in the schools.Though the city’s plan has run into ferocious opposition, there is no monolithic view about the schools from its alumni or current students. Some Asian-American graduates have said they support eliminating the test, and dozens of black and Hispanic alumni with different views about the test have said they are deeply pained by the lack of diversity in the schools.
Black and Hispanic enrollment in the schools has plummeted over the last two decades in particular; Brooklyn Technical High School was 51 percent black in 1982, and 6 percent black in 2016. Only 79 black students got into Brooklyn Tech this year, down from 95 last year.Black and Hispanic enrollment in the schools has plummeted over the last two decades in particular; Brooklyn Technical High School was 51 percent black in 1982, and 6 percent black in 2016. Only 79 black students got into Brooklyn Tech this year, down from 95 last year.
Some of the schools’ relatively few black and Hispanic students have said they often feel isolated in their classrooms and hallways because of their race.Some of the schools’ relatively few black and Hispanic students have said they often feel isolated in their classrooms and hallways because of their race.