A New York City education administrator is calling for an end to a specialized high school entrance exam and lamenting new data that shows Asians dominating test scores.
Schools Chancellor Meisha Ross-Porter called the test’s results, which showed that Asians made up 53.7% of the students admitted to specialized high schools in the city, “unacceptable,” according to the New York Post.
“I know from my 21 years as an educator that far more students could thrive in our Specialized High Schools, if only given the chance,” Ross-Porter said in a statement along with the results. “Instead, the continued use of the Specialized High School Admissions Test will produce the same unacceptable results over and over again, and it’s far past the time for our students to be fairly represented in these schools.”
White students made up 27.9% of the students admitted compared to 5.4% Hispanic and 3.6% black.
Supporters of the test have taken issue with Ross-Porter’s comments, including activists who represent Asian groups in the city.
“What is unacceptable is the targeting of one particular group,” Activist Wai Wah Chin said. “Especially with what we see happening on the streets of this city. What is unacceptable is telling Asians that they don’t belong in these schools despite their hard work.”
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While supporters of the test argue the process is colorblind, critics of the test have insisted that it is racist, citing stats that show 70% of students are Hispanic or black, but they only account for 9.4% of students who are admitted via the test.
“The State law that requires the City to administer the exam must be repealed so we can partner with our communities to find a more equitable way forward, and do right by all of our children,” Ross-Porter added.
