New York City schools to reinstate and expand controversial Gifted and Talented program, Adams says

NEW YORK — Mayor Eric Adams is making good on a campaign promise to revive and expand the Gifted and Talented programs at New York City schools that his predecessor tried to kill.

As CBS2’s Political Reporter Marcia Kramer reports, it was a raucous City Hall press conference, with parents clapping excitedly as Adams announced plans to expand the Department of Education’s Gifted and Talented programs to every district in the city. 

“We have talented students all over this city. It’s time to let students have access and develop their full potential,” the mayor said Thursday morning.

The mayor plans to add 100 kindergarten seats, bringing the total to 2,500, and for the first time, add 1,000 third grade seats. 

It does away with entrance exams for kindergarten, and the top 10% of second graders for each district will be invited to apply. The ranking will be based on performance in math, science, reading and social studies. 

Schools Chancellor David Banks said that by expanding the program to all districts — districts that have a large number of minority students — it will expand diversity. 

“If you get Gifted and Talented in East Flatbush, and you get people from that community, it’s going to expand diversity,” he said. 

Parents there were thrilled. 

“I think it’s a great first step, and the numbers are likely to increase, especially in communities that are underrepresented,” said Jackson Heights parent Henry Choi.

“What I’m saying is that our kids are gifted and talented, and now they’re going to have an opportunity and support to show what they can do,” Bronx parent Sarah Despeignes said. 

The chancellor said he hopes the changes will stop the tide of parents voting with their feet and taking their kids out of city schools. In the last five years, 120,000 students have left for private and parochial schools. 

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