Racial segregation increases in NYC public schools

Racial segregation in schools have been traditionally associated with southern states such as Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi and the Carolinas. However, cities in the north face a dilemma in diversity at some of its top public institutions.

Last week, New York City Department of Education released data on admittance numbers in its nine specialized high schools. Although NYC public schools are 70 percent black and Latino, only about 4% of black students and 6.3% of Latino students represent the admittance offers given. Majority of the invitations to attend the finest schools in the city, went to whites and Asians.

As well, the report by New York City Department of Education indicates that these numbers have dropped by at least 4 percent from the previous year showing great disparities in racial representation.

New York’s Mayor Bill de Blasio, was recently re-approved by the state to retain control over the schools. Last year, he offered a resolution to increase Black and Latino students; however, a group representing Asian communities expressed outrage. Asian students represent 62 percent of the students at specialized schools. Noted as being some of the best public schools in the nation, New York’s selective high schools were designed to serve the needs of academically and artistically talented students. To get into them, applicants take the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT), a rigorous aptitude examination in the fall. Offer letters go out in the spring.

Ark Republic spoke to a parent whose daughter recently was offered a position at an independent school in the city. Brian Dunn, gives us a glimpse of the stressful and exhausting process when parents who do not have the money or means for extensive tutors, but are diligent in their child receiving the best education.

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