The Daily Why Did New York’s Most Selective Public High School Admit Only 7 Black Students?
Apr 2, 2019
Eliza Shapiro, a New York City education reporter for The New York Times, tackles the alarmingly low admission rates of Black students at elite public high schools. She unpacks systemic issues of educational inequality and how socio-economic factors shape access to quality education. Shapiro also discusses the historical implications of the admissions process, including the controversial standardized tests. The conversation highlights a pressing need for reforms to increase diversity in these prestigious institutions.
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De Blasio's Campaign Promise
- Bill de Blasio, during his mayoral campaign, pledged to address inequality in the New York City public school system.
- His focus was on bridging the gap between well-resourced, predominantly white schools and underfunded, predominantly Black and Hispanic schools.
Declining Diversity
- The low number of Black students admitted to Stuyvesant High School highlights a systemic issue.
- The percentage of Black and Hispanic students in these elite schools has steadily declined.
Origins of Elite Schools
- New York City's elite public schools, established in the early 1900s, were designed as meritocratic institutions.
- Admission was based solely on a single standardized test, intended to provide opportunities for all, regardless of background.