The Brian Lehrer Show Segregation at NYC's Specialized High Schools
Aug 5, 2025
Alex Zimmerman, a dedicated education reporter at Chalkbeat New York, dives into the stark racial disparities in admissions to NYC's specialized high schools. He reveals alarming statistics: only 3% of offers went to Black students and 6.9% to Latino students. The conversation highlights the role of the SHSAT in perpetuating these inequalities and explores proposed reforms for greater equity. Zimmerman also discusses how political candidates' evolving views on these issues reflect broader societal changes and the urgent need for systemic reform in education.
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SHSAT Prep Advantage
- The SHSAT is an English and math standardized test not aligned with middle school curriculum.
- Success on it requires extensive test prep beyond regular academics, favoring motivated students.
Test Prep Vital But Unequal
- Janet shared that her daughter needed expensive test prep to enter Brooklyn Tech.
- She noted NYC public schools do not prepare students for the SHSAT.
Cultural Knowledge Impacts Prep
- Unequal knowledge and cultural factors influence test prep engagement.
- Black and Latino students often lack guidance and awareness about specialized high schools.