The Misalignment of NYC Specialized High Schools

New York City is home to nine Specialized High Schools, specifically tailored to students who excel on the standardized exam that is the sole admissions factor. These schools provide a greater number of advanced courses and intensive college preparation. The demographics of the schools are not representative of the diversity found in the general New York City student body. With that, there has been significant debate over the efficacy of and preparation for this sole admission criteria. Projects, like the DREAM and Discovery programs, had been instated to try to combat this issue by providing additional academic support to certain students. However, the aid provided by these programs does not completely combat the lack of funding given to middle schools that are meant to prepare these students for the exam. It also does not alter the curriculums that often do not fully encompass the topics covered on the admissions test. This paper delves into the resource issues that may have origins in the history of American education. It will also include aid program ideas that attempt to improve upon existing ones by pointing out the limiting factors they hold, including limitations on how many students get to participate.