This week, about 26,000 anxious eighth-graders are discovering their futures. Will they gain admission to one of New York City’s eight specialized high schools?
The admissions process has been pretty straightforward since 1971 due to the Hecht Calandra law, which mandates that acceptance is based solely on academic performance and competitive entrance exams.
In essence, applicants list their top preferences, take the exam, and then get placed in available spots based on their scores.
There’s a catch, though: only around 5% of ninth-grade slots—less than 5,000—will be available.
For them, these standardized tests showcase the inequalities prevalent within the education system. They believe tests contribute to a culture that hoards resources and perpetuates a mindset of scarcity.
They often pose the question: Why shouldn’t students be admitted based exclusively on their exam scores, irrespective of their race or background?
The issue isn’t the SHSAT itself, but rather the limited number of available seats.
