Ending testing for New York City's gifted program may be another blow to Black and Lati... - 0 views
theconversation.com/ack-and-latino-students-157381
gifted racism oppression black latino students NYC education research
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The city’s Department of Education announced in February that it would stop testing students for its gifted program, which places top students in schools with curriculum designed for high academic achievement. Instead, preschool teachers will refer students for consideration.
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Research has shown that teacher referrals tend to lead to fewer Black and Hispanic students’ qualifying for gifted programs, though Black teachers refer Black students more equitably.
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gifted education is a vital service to help students with exceptional academic ability realize their full potential.
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Any test administered at age 4 will quickly cease to provide useful information, as students develop at different rates. Some accelerate during the elementary or high school years, while others who initially looked precocious settle into average achievement.
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For years, advocates for students in NYC have argued that using high-stakes tests on 4-year-olds to determine their school placement for the entire K-12 experience is unfair. It disadvantages students who didn’t attend academic-style pre-K or early enrichment programs.
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But research shows that many students start the school year performing well above grade level and are left to become bored and not reach their full potential.
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By failing students with advanced academic needs who come from underrepresented groups, New York City’s Department of Education risks losing the entire gifted program.