What’s “Enrichment,” Anyway? Can It Really Replace Gifted & Talented Programs?
Blog · Finding the Right School

What’s “Enrichment,” Anyway? Can It Really Replace Gifted & Talented Programs?

Alina AdamsLeave a comment

When I give my Getting Into NYC Kindergarten workshops to community organizations, I explain the differences between New York City’s two types of Gifted & Talented programs. The five Citywide G&T’s are Accelerated. That means that, because there is no such thing as a G&T curriculum, these schools take the standard NYC school curriculum and… Continue reading What’s “Enrichment,” Anyway? Can It Really Replace Gifted & Talented Programs?

“I Want to Talk About Better Academic and Life Outcomes for Black and Brown Kids. Period.”
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“I Want to Talk About Better Academic and Life Outcomes for Black and Brown Kids. Period.”

Laura WatersLeave a comment

(This was first published at Education Post.) If we have really well-prepared young people who are going to the exact college they want to go to, who will graduate from college within six years with little to no debt and who are willing to take over the dining hall and stage a protest or to… Continue reading “I Want to Talk About Better Academic and Life Outcomes for Black and Brown Kids. Period.”

“Implying That Black and Hispanic Kids Only Do Better When They’re In School With White Kids Is Racist.” A NYC Mom Speaks Out.
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“Implying That Black and Hispanic Kids Only Do Better When They’re In School With White Kids Is Racist.” A NYC Mom Speaks Out.

Alina Adams1 Comment

When news dropped late last month (literally 10 minutes before my middle child’s birthday dinner) about a proposal to get rid of New York City’s Gifted & Talented programs, The NY Daily News asked me to write an editorial on the topic. It ran on August 27 and was entitled, Eliminate Gifted & Talented Programs?… Continue reading “Implying That Black and Hispanic Kids Only Do Better When They’re In School With White Kids Is Racist.” A NYC Mom Speaks Out.

“Observe This”: A NYC Teacher Has Doubts About the New Teacher Evaluation System Negotiated by UFT.
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“Observe This”: A NYC Teacher Has Doubts About the New Teacher Evaluation System Negotiated by UFT.

Vivett Dukes2 Comments

Summer 2019 was one for the history books. Now, it’s back to school and, in preparation for our students’ return, New York City public school teachers sat through a series of professional developments early this week intended to prepare us with information — some necessary, some not — for the pending school year. Any teacher… Continue reading “Observe This”: A NYC Teacher Has Doubts About the New Teacher Evaluation System Negotiated by UFT.

NYC’s Gifted and Talented Programs Need Accessibility, Not Elimination.
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NYC’s Gifted and Talented Programs Need Accessibility, Not Elimination.

Vivett DukesLeave a comment

The New York Times reports that “[a]  group of selective schools and programs geared to students labeled gifted and talented is filled mostly with white and Asian children,” even though the vast majority of the 1.1 million students in New York City are Black and Latinx. And so a “high-level panel appointed by Mayor Bill… Continue reading NYC’s Gifted and Talented Programs Need Accessibility, Not Elimination.

Calls For Closing All NYC Gifted & Talented/Screened Schools – Where Does Hunter Fit In?
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Calls For Closing All NYC Gifted & Talented/Screened Schools – Where Does Hunter Fit In?

Alina Adams1 Comment

On Tuesday, August 27, 2019, New York City’s School Diversity Advisory Group released a proposal that formally called for the closing of all Gifted & Talented programs and Screened schools. Not included in the report was Hunter College Elementary and High School, the most coveted NYC gifted school of them all. Full disclosure: My husband… Continue reading Calls For Closing All NYC Gifted & Talented/Screened Schools – Where Does Hunter Fit In?

10 NYC Public Schools Which Went Up In Test Scores in 2019 — And 10 That Went Down.
Accountability · Finding the Right School · School Choice

10 NYC Public Schools Which Went Up In Test Scores in 2019 — And 10 That Went Down.

Alina AdamsLeave a comment

New York City released elementary school test scores for the 2018-19 school year on Thursday, August 22, 2019. In the past, I’ve listed the Top 10 Schools by Test Scores for 2017, and the Top 25 Schools by Test Scores for 2018. While there is some juggling for placement every year, the top-scoring schools tend… Continue reading 10 NYC Public Schools Which Went Up In Test Scores in 2019 — And 10 That Went Down.

An Impassioned Plea For The Purposeful Hiring of More Black Teachers
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An Impassioned Plea For The Purposeful Hiring of More Black Teachers

Vivett Dukes1 Comment

Why is it a problem for some when academic spaces are comprised of more Black teachers than White teachers? I continue to be baffled by the resistance to this change, especially from White teachers. The reality is that many Black teachers function in predominantly White academic spaces for the entirety of our careers, often without… Continue reading An Impassioned Plea For The Purposeful Hiring of More Black Teachers

“I Chose To Stop Doing Stupid and Start Doing Smart”: A Veteran Teacher Reflects on Lessons Learned.
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“I Chose To Stop Doing Stupid and Start Doing Smart”: A Veteran Teacher Reflects on Lessons Learned.

Glenn MasonLeave a comment

A bit of what follows will seem defiant to some readers. To other readers, my point of view will be like preaching to the choir. Be that as it may, I’m simply writing about my approach to teaching. As my career progressed, I decided that I was going to stop doing stupid and hopefully do… Continue reading “I Chose To Stop Doing Stupid and Start Doing Smart”: A Veteran Teacher Reflects on Lessons Learned.

10 Questions About NYC’s Newest High School Admissions Plan.
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10 Questions About NYC’s Newest High School Admissions Plan.

Alina AdamsLeave a comment

After two years of trying to get rid of the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) and railing against the lack of diversity in New York City Schools, on Thursday, August 15, 2019, the Mayor and School Chancellor finally unveiled the first change to the NYC High School admissions process in 16 years… which won’t… Continue reading 10 Questions About NYC’s Newest High School Admissions Plan.