To the Editor:
Re “Diversity Fades at Elite Schools in City: ‘What Has Happened?’” (front page, June 4):
The abysmally low enrollment of minority students in the selective high schools is a serious problem. As a school neuropsychologist who has evaluated thousands of students and observed dozens of classrooms, I have seen educational inequality directly.
It begins in kindergarten and is easily evident by third grade. If a child is to receive a quality education, particularly in math and science, that child often needs instruction outside the New York City public school system. Knowing this, many Asian families enroll their elementary-school-age children in Saturday and summer school programs that offer accelerated and enriched instruction.
While expensive test prep does affect Specialized High School Admissions Test scores, the most important cause of low pass rates for minorities is the lack of quality public elementary and middle-school programs.
The Specialized High School Admissions Test is the thermometer that reports a sick system. Rather than throw the thermometer against the wall, the city’s Department of Education needs to provide quality educational programs in elementary and middle schools, particularly in low-income, high-need neighborhoods.
Julia B. Osborn
New York
Source: Read Full Article
Home » Analysis & Comment » Opinion | Loss of Diversity in New York’s Elite High Schools
Opinion | Loss of Diversity in New York’s Elite High Schools
To the Editor:
Re “Diversity Fades at Elite Schools in City: ‘What Has Happened?’” (front page, June 4):
The abysmally low enrollment of minority students in the selective high schools is a serious problem. As a school neuropsychologist who has evaluated thousands of students and observed dozens of classrooms, I have seen educational inequality directly.
It begins in kindergarten and is easily evident by third grade. If a child is to receive a quality education, particularly in math and science, that child often needs instruction outside the New York City public school system. Knowing this, many Asian families enroll their elementary-school-age children in Saturday and summer school programs that offer accelerated and enriched instruction.
While expensive test prep does affect Specialized High School Admissions Test scores, the most important cause of low pass rates for minorities is the lack of quality public elementary and middle-school programs.
The Specialized High School Admissions Test is the thermometer that reports a sick system. Rather than throw the thermometer against the wall, the city’s Department of Education needs to provide quality educational programs in elementary and middle schools, particularly in low-income, high-need neighborhoods.
Julia B. Osborn
New York
Source: Read Full Article