SHSAT Update

News as the school year ends

The school year ends on June 26 and summer recess goes through to September 5. Senator Liu is holding public hearings across the 5 boroughs. His schedule is detailed below.

What do these proposed changes mean for our current and future students, our schools,  communities, and our city? If you have an opinion, express it to your representatives now – your school PA, SLT, and NY State representatives. Go to CEC meetings, forums, town halls, and contact or visit NY State reps in Albany.


Stuyvesant Parents’ Association Statement on SHSAT

The Stuyvesant PA Executive Board Statement is here – in English, Chinese, Korean and Spanish.

Media reporting on the SHSAT

Our SHSAT in the News page contains links to media reporting

Bronx Science Parents’ Association Statement on SHSAT

PDF file here

Senator John Liu’s Schedule of Public Hearing Meetings:

Manhattan:

Thursday, May 23, 6:00pm
PS 173M, 306 Fort Washington Ave, NY 10032

If you would like to speak, please sign up at the door. Bring hard copies of your 2-minute statement or email the statement to: shsat@senatorjackson.com

Staten Island:

Friday, May 31, 6:30pm
Michael J. Petridis School, 715 Ocean Terrace, Staten Island, NY 10301

Southern Brooklyn:

Friday, June 7, 6:30pm, co-hosted by Senator Andrew Gournades
IS 201, 8010 12th Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11228
Southern Brooklyn residents are given priority to speak based on ZIP code.

Bronx:

This meeting took place on Friday, May 17.

Respond to the Senate Bill S1415

The abolish the SHSAT New York State Senate Bill S1415 has been referred to the New York City Education Committee on January 23. John Liu is the chair of the standing committee. Have your voice heard:

Contact current members of NYC education committee:

Learn about the DOE’s proposed changes to the SHSAT

Read the DOE Specialized High School Proposal to understand the proposed changes, which are intended to increase the numbers of Black and Latinx students in Specialized High Schools (SHS). These changes include:

  • Expanding the Discovery Program (a summer enrichment program) to 20% of seats offer by each SHS
  • Eliminating all SHSAT test-only admissions within 3 years
  • Making SHS offers to the top 7% of students at each DOE public middle school

Learn how these proposals will affect Stuyvesant and other SHS

Brooklyn Tech Alumni Association report on the SHSAT and diversity – Summary (PDF)
or read the Full report (PDF Brooklyn Tech Alumni Association website)

Timeline of events

  • Ongoing presentations of proposed changes by DOE in school districts.
  • January 2019: New legislative session starts in Albany, NY, when the proposed bill to eliminate SHSAT will be brought up to the floor for a vote.
  • Spring 2019: High school offer letters distributed; Eligible students are notified of their participation in the expanded Discovery Program.
  • Summer 2019: Discovery Program sponsored and conducted by Specialized High Schools.

Opportunities to express your opinion

What do these proposed changes mean for our current and future students, our schools,  communities, and our city? If you have an opinion, express it to your representatives now – your school PA, SLT, and NY State representatives. There are many opportunities to learn more, to listen to others, and to express your opinion. Go to CEC meetings, forums, town halls, and contact or visit NY State reps in Albany.

Email your SLT and PA representatives

The directory of SLT and PA email addresses is here.

Contact your NY State Assembly Member and Senator

Here’s why you should call (not email) your senator (NY Times)

Identify your New York State assembly members and senators and reach out to them to express your opinion on the proposed changes to the SHSAT, and find out what their stand is.

How to find your NY State Assembly Member (NYS Assembly website search form, input your address)

How to find your NY State Senator (NYS Senate website search form, input your address)