Barrons, Mosley Speak Out Against Specialized High School Test
Assembly members Charles Barron (D-East New York) and Walter T. Mosley (D-Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, Crown Heights) alongside City Council member Inez Barron (D-East New York) and other leaders will rally together today to speak out against the Specialized High School Exam (SHSAT).
The coalition of stakeholders is rallying in support of the Assembly legislation that would reform the admissions for Specialized High School (SHSAT), starting with a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Barron that would phase out examinations used in admissions for specialized schools in New York City.
Also the group is pushing for passage of the Educational Rights Transparency for New York Families Act. Sponsored by Mosley, the measure would create a new admission system that will offer seats in the specialized high schools to public schools students who are at the top of their schools’ eighth grade class. This system will be phased in over 3 years.
The 1st year will be the top 3%, the 2nd year will be the top 5%, the 3rd year will be the top 5-7% and the test will be eliminated and grade point average and other variables will be the new criteria. Black and Brown students currently make up approximately 70% of the population of the public school system but only make up 9% of the population of specialized high schools. When this bill is passed, representation of Black and Brown students will increase from 9% to 45%. This new admission process will bring equal access for all students entering specialized high schools.
SHS high schools include Stuyvesant and Brooklyn Technical High School in Brooklyn. In March, Stuyvesant offered only 7 out of 895 slots in the freshman class to black students. The event will precede the Assembly Education Committee’s hearing on education issues.
“This admissions process has to change. A single test cannot be the sole determining factor for admission to these specialized high schools. As I wholeheartedly support this admission reform policy, we need schools to publish data on the number of qualified teachers, class sizes, supplies, safe environment and accessible school buildings. Only when this information, and other information like it, is given to parents and students can we decide on how to meaningfully effectuate change and successfully integrate our school system,” said Mosley
The event is slated for 9 a.m., today, May 10, on the Steps of City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
Gounardes, Brannan, Rose To Host Community Iftar Event
State Senator Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend), City Council member Justin Brannan (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bath Beach, Bensonhurst) and Congressman Max Rose (D-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) will host a community Iftar Event tomorrow.
Iftar is the meal eaten after sunset by Muslims to break the daily fast during the month of Ramadan. The occasion marks the first such community-driven event hosted by an elected official in the district. At the event, the Maghrib prayer will be lead by a local Imam followed by food and drinks.
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting (sawm) to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief.
The event is slated for Saturday, May 11, at Owl’s Head Park in Bay Ridge.
Mosley, BK Lawmakers Hosts Mother’s Day Luncheon
Assembly member Walter T. Mosley (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights) in partnership with Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bed-Stuy, Brownsville, East New York, Canarsie, Mill Basin, Coney Island, parts of Queens), State Senator Velmanette Montgomery (D-Fort Greene, Boerum Hill, Red Hook, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Sunset Park, Gowanus, Park Slope) and City Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights) will hosts a Mother’s Day luncheon event today.
The event will honor Mother’s and women across the borough for their dedication to their families and the significant work they do for their local community on a daily basis.
The event is slated for 12-noon to 3 p.m., today, May 10, at the Shirley A. Chisholm State Building, 55 Hanson Place, 9th Floor in Fort Greene.
BK State Senator To Hold Youth & Community Speak Out On Equity, Diversity & Admissions
State Senators Velmanette Montgomery (D-Fort Greene, Boerum Hill, Red Hook, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Sunset Park, Gowanus, Park Slope), Roxanne J. Persaud (D-Canarsie, Mill Basin, Bergen Beach, East New York, Brownsville, Sheepshead Bay), Zellnor Myrie (D-Central Brooklyn), and Assembly member Diana Richardson (D-Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Lefferts Gardens, Wingate) will host youth forum today to explore what is happening at high schools throughout New York City.
In January, over 70 high schools in NYC were designated as “Struggling” by the New York State Education Department (DOE). The forum will discuss this designation and talk to students about the state of public schools across the state.
State lawmakers are looking to hear from community stakeholders, parents, students and recent high school graduates as to the current state of education at New York State high schools to better understand the issues and needs facing public school students.
The event is slated for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., today, May 10, at the NYU Tandon – Bern Dibner Building, Pfizer Auditorium, 5 Metrotech Center in Downtown Brooklyn.
