Comments on: More students qualify for gifted programs; DOE credits outreach

By: Michael M.

Michael M. — Wed, 06 May 2009 01:27:50 +0000

In a blurb to the press today, DOE claims that the kids in D2 who qualify for G&T will help clear the Kindergarten wait lists for their zoned schools on the UES and in the Village. (Similar re D3, the UWS.) Rullly?

Again, these sub-districts’ zoned schools have wait lists. Which means they have a SEAT SHORTAGE.

So, on what basis does DOE think that parents — who have already shown an inclination to keep their kids close to home — will prefer an OUT-OF-SUB-DISTRICT G&T program, at sites still to be announced?

Otherwise, we’re just changing the labels on some in-zone Kindergarten classrooms from “Gen Ed” to “G&T” — and haven’t substantively changed the SEAT SHORTAGE picture.

Unless part of the G&T K-riculum is kayaking from the UES to Roosevelt Island, or migrating north every morning from GV/SOHO to see Chelsea / Clinton…

By: peter

peter — Tue, 05 May 2009 17:06:24 +0000

The six districts that dominate the G/T stats have long standing programs that predate Children’s First by many years. For example, Dist 22 Gifted programs go back to the early 80s. “Select” programs in designated elementary schools, a middle schol choice option with some programs requiring testing. In many of the districts with only a handful of students the outreach was meager … especially when principals have a disincentive … they lose their L 4 kids … with severe adverse impact on their school data.

By: eduwonkette

eduwonkette — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:42:58 +0000

Last year, 40% of all students qualifying for gifted programs came from just three districts - District 2, District 3, and District 22.

This year, the exact same percentage - 40% - of all students qualifying for gifted programs once again came from just these three districts.

If you want to add the next three largest sending districts - Districts 15, 20, and 21 - 56% of all admissions last year went to students from just six districts. This year, 56% of admissions again went to students from these districts.

The overall numbers of students qualifying is up, but the distribution of seats between districts has not changed in any meaningful way. Expressing the growth in number of seats in terms of percent changes in extremely misleading given that the poor districts had a tiny number of students participating to begin with.

By: Brooklynmom

Brooklynmom — Tue, 05 May 2009 14:09:25 +0000

Going over the chart detailing school tours, I noticed that some tours happened before May 4th when the G&T scores were sent out, while others take place within days (1-3) of when parents are likely to receive the news. In addition there are no TIMES for these tours. As a parent on the cusp of a long-term relationship with the DOE, I am not impressed.

By: Mary

Mary — Tue, 05 May 2009 13:02:35 +0000

I’m also wondering why the numbers of the children who qualified for 1st, 2nd and 3rd aren’t posted yet. Will those stats be available this week?

By: Ellen McHugh

Ellen McHugh — Tue, 05 May 2009 04:58:49 +0000

“The department has said it expects applications to gifted programs to siphon away some of the enrollment crunch that has left families on the waiting list for their zoned school at more than 100 schools around the city…..All of the children, including those who qualify for the more selective programs, are guaranteed a spot in a district program if they want one.”

There is only so much room in so many schools. If the parents choose to have their children stay in their districts, and the DOE, as promised, opens G/T programs in the districts where will the students be placed? If D 2, 3 and 31 are already overcrowded, where will the DOE find space for a District program? There are 1,345 eligible for the Citywide programs and 3,231 eligible for the local district programs for a total of 6,576 children eligible with an average of 200 students per district at Kindergarten level. How much does this number differ from the number of students accepted annually at that age level under the old system?
I am not knocking G/T programs, I am wondering where there will be room.
There are storm warnings ahead……