Gifted children are special needs children
6 hours ago
- #New York City
- #gifted programs
- #education
- Zohran Mamdami plans to phase out NYC's gifted and talented (G&T) programs, starting with kindergarten.
- Critics argue G&T programs exacerbate segregation, with 70% of students being white or Asian despite making up 35% of total enrollment.
- Asian students disproportionately benefit from G&T programs, making up 43% of the kindergarten program despite being 18% of the public school population.
- The author argues G&T programs select for merit and effort, and eliminating them would leave gifted children underserved.
- Gifted children are compared to special needs children, as lack of challenge can harm their development.
- The anti-G&T stance is criticized as illogical, as even egalitarian societies historically nurtured talent.
- The author finds the policy deeply wrong and disheartening, unable to understand the opposing viewpoint.