Councilmember Zhuang praises community action in getting computerized school admissions test approved

December 19, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

City Councilmember Susan Zhuang (D-43) testifies Wednesday night, Dec. 18, at Sunset Park High School in favor of approving the Pearson contract for computerizing the Specialized High School Admissions Test. Earlier in the month, she and Assemblymember William Colton, a former teacher, had urged approval of the new test. Photo courtesy Office of Councilmember Zhuang

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CITYWIDE — THE SPECIALIZED HIGH SCHOOL ADMISSIONS TEST will be administered next year as a computer-based exam, the Panel for Educational Policy voted on Thursday, following a hearing that lasted hours, Gothamist reports. The PEP, which is the city’s education oversight board, voted 14-2, with four abstentions, to accept the five-year, $17 million contract with exam provider Pearson. This followed hours of comments from students, educators and advocates for the exam, including from City Councilmember Susan Zhuang, an outspoken proponent of the SHSAT, and other elected officials.

Critics have complained about inequity in the test results and admissions offers, which, they claim, favor some demographic groups over others. Academically gifted Black (4.5%) and Latino students (7.6%) make up disproportionately low percentages of students who gain admission to specialized high schools like Brooklyn Tech and Brooklyn Latin School. Asian students make up 53% of that group. Gothamist reported these numbers, pointing out that white students get about 26% of the offers.

Councilmember Zhuang released a statement on Thursday following the Nov. 18 PEP meeting. Crediting Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, and a bipartisan coalition of elected officials, Zhuang said, “We made our voices loud, and it was clear that PEP heard us. Like I always say, when our community fights together, we win together. We have to protect our children and make sure they always have access to quality education and the American dream. We should all be proud of this victory and I thank everyone who helped make it a reality.”