NEW YORK – New York City said it will phase out controversial Gifted and Talented (G&T) classes from its schools, opting to end a system that critics say is causing racial divisions in the nation’s largest public school system.
Mayor Bill de Blasio is expected to officially announce the long-awaited change on Friday, confirming a measure he first proposed in January. However, the Democrat’s term ends on December 31, and the next mayor could choose to change course.
As in De Blasio’s plan, students already in a G&T will be able to finish the program, but no new classes will be formed, our sister station NBC 4 New York confirmed.
In 2019, the city’s School Diversity Advisory Group recommended phasing out the existing Gifted and Talented program, saying it was “unfair” and “unfair” and led to segregation. At the time, the New York Civil Liberties Union said 75% of the children in the G&T program were either White or Asian, although white and Asian students only account for 30% of the district’s enrollment.
When New York City Chancellor of Schools Richard Carranza resigned earlier this year, there were widespread reports that at the center of his departure was a dispute with de Blasio over the pace of elimination of the gifted classes.
The long-awaited announcement comes a day after a scathing report from the city’s inspector general found that the mayor misused his security equipment for personal purposes, including transporting his children. It also comes amid reports that the mayor has started telling associates that he will run for governor next year.
Investigators in New York City concluded that Mayor Bill de Blasio misused his NYPD security team for personal and political purposes. Ricardo Villarini brings us the story ..
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