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Elite Public High Schools in New York City Drawing Few Minorities
The New York City Department of Education must be doing some introspection after a recent analysis by the New York Times highlighted the racial imbalance that persists at the city's elite public high schools. According to the newspaper, black and Hispanic students remain underrepresented at the city's best high schools, including Stuyvesant High School and the Bronx High School of Science, two schools that U.S. News recognized as gold medal schools last year. (U.S. News will publish new high school rankings in December.)
The lack of racial diversity continues to be a problem for these schools, despite their efforts in recent years to increase the enrollment of underrepresented minority students. New York City public schools serve 1.1 million students; about 40 percent are Hispanic, 32 percent are black, 14 percent are Asian, and 14 percent are white. Yet, the Times reports, Asian students make up more than two thirds of Stuyvesant High School's 3,247 student body, up from 48 percent in 1999. At the Bronx High School of Science, there are 2,809 students, but only 4 percent or 114 are black.
It is not clear what more education officials plan to do to address the enrollment disparities. In recent years, they have tried to do more outreach and expanded a program that helps students prepare for the test that determines admission to the top high schools. While students who attend the test-prep program are more likely to pass the test, the participation and performance of black and Hispanic students remain low.
"I'm not ever happy when I see a low percentage of those students participating in schools that are high rigor," the city's deputy mayor told the Times. "It's important for the halls of Stuyvesant, the halls of the Bronx High School of Science, to be reflective of the city itself."
Tags: New York City | high schools | public schools | students | education
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Racial imbalance.. at the city's elite public high schools
The New York Times failed to complete the study. The first half
of the study should have been the neighborhood where these student originate then the "elite high schools" their 'destination ?' My guess is like Philadelphia where
I grew up (not lot of positive change in 50 years) the playground basketball courts will be full and the libraries
are empty. So the distribution in elite high schools and
colleges reflects exactly the effort being put toward those
goals.
Lack of Interest?
I've spent a fortune over 35 years trying to open up black neighborhoods to the Bronx High School of Science with my school bus service. To my disappointment, this will probably be the last year we do it because it has become to costly to provide the service to those areas. It has not been without reward though because some of the parents were so grateful and nice to talk to and there was a 3 year period when our scholarship 1st Place prize went to black young ladies.
Elite public schools
This graduate of Stuyvesant High School finds your NYT article superficial. What matters most in getting entrance and performing in such a rigorous school is the family's caring role in the student's education!
I had to travel subway from Queens to Manhattan for Stuyvesandt, but my parents supported this. Ruling out time wasted on basketball courts, etc.and providing books and emphasis on time in Public Libraries counts heavily. Jewish and Asian kids usually have strong families, who demand top grades.
If Latino and black families lack this, do not blame the schools which are already much too slow and easy for a bright student.
Blame the families, or lack thereof! Separate kids in classes by merit, i.e. by ability!