De Blasio blames admissions testing for lack of diversity at top city schools, prods state for system overhaul
The city’s elite public high schools don’t reflect the diversity of the city and should change their admission policies, Mayor de Blasio said on Wednesday.
De Blasio, speaking one day before the city’s 1.1 million school kids start their new school year, said that the current admissions process relies too heavily on a single test.
“I don’t think anything should be decided by a single test,” he said.
He added, “Right now, I mean, a school like Stuyvesant just does not represent the population of New York City in any way that’s' fair.”
The city’s elite public schools, like Stuyvesant High School, are overwhelmingly Asian and white, despite the fact that the city has a large population of blacks and Hispanics.
Stuyvesant High School, like many of the city’s most prestigious academies, is overwhelmingly comprised of white and Asian students.
(LOUIS LANZANO/FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS)De Blasio, who railed against the testing policies as a candidate but has been more muted on the issue since taking office, said that the state needs to change the admissions process.
Until then, he said the city is committed to helping kids from all backgrounds on the test, including free test prep classes.
The mayor also said that the city will decide whether or not to close the most troubled public schools — which he promised to either shutter or turn around De Blasio blames testing system for diversity lack at top schools - NY Daily News: