Controversy Surrounds Plan to End Gifted & Talented Programs in NYC Schools

Recent proposals by mayoral candidate Zohran Mandani aim to eliminate the city’s Gifted & Talented (G&T) programs, continuing a trend initiated by former Mayor Bill de Blasio. These programs provide a rare, tuition-free pathway for low- and middle-income families to access advanced educational opportunities, aside from charter schools.

Despite a large number of high-performing students in New York City, the current system cannot accommodate all of them. Before 2021, approximately 3,500 kindergarteners were selected annually via standardized testing for G&T programs. Since then, identification has risen to nearly 10,000 children each year through teacher referrals, yet only about 2,500 G&T seats are available in total, leaving many gifted students in less challenging classes.

Eliminating G&T programs could accelerate declining enrollment, which has seen an 8% drop since 2020, with 70,000 students leaving the city’s public schools. This exodus is largely due to dissatisfaction with the lack of challenging curricula, with many families seeking more rigorous education elsewhere or leaving the city entirely.

Low- and middle-income families are disproportionately affected, lacking the means to pursue private tutoring or specialized schools. In contrast, wealthier families can afford private institutions or high-cost afterschool programs, perpetuating educational inequities. Notably, many affluent parents, including the candidate himself, have benefited from exclusive private and specialized high schools.

Research shows that grouping students by ability and providing advanced coursework benefits high achievers without harming others. A recent study in NYC found that G&T students, especially Black and Hispanic students, demonstrated significant gains in proficiency. Eliminating such programs risks lowering the academic ceiling for gifted students and exacerbating educational disparities.

Instead, expanding G&T programs—particularly in underserved neighborhoods—along with improving early education results, would better serve all students. Efforts should focus on reducing absenteeism, enhancing early literacy programs, and closing poorly performing schools to ensure a high-quality education for every child.

Retaining talented students and nurturing their potential is vital for NYC’s future. Cutting these specialized programs could hinder opportunities and diminish the dreams of many bright young minds.