Jan 20, 2005 10:51 AM
Gifted-and-talented programs are one thing city schools get right, parents and teachers say, though they fault the schools for not offering them to enough deserving children. Wanting to preserve the well-regarded programs and make them more accessible, UFT President Randi Weingarten joined City Council members Jan. 10 to announce the union’s backing of proposed Council legislation that would require all of New York City’s 32 school districts (and the high schools located in those districts) to earmark at least 10 percent of their classroom spaces for gifted-and-talented programs.
The legislation, proposed by City Councilman Lew Fidler of Brooklyn and supported by dozens of his colleagues on the Council, would ensure a minimum level of enhanced, accelerated or enriched instruction for students who excel academically or show special talent. Such programs would include — but not be limited to — honors, advanced placement, college preparatory and accelerated placement classes.
Districts with a percentage of such programs falling below 10 percent would have to expand them to the 10 percent minimum. Those with a percentage above 10 percent would be required to maintain the current level as a minimum. “Every student who is able to benefit from gifted-and-talented programs should have a chance to do so,” said Weingarten. “Children should not miss out on opportunities afforded to other students simply because of where they live.
“As the court found in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity case, geography is not destiny. That should apply to gifted-and-talented programs, too.”
Weingarten added that, in her many visits to schools and forums with chapter leaders, the withering of gifted-and-talented programs “is a major source of concern among members.”
At the same time, parents and teachers in unserved areas have often asked why they don’t have any gifted-and-talented programs.
Fidler said the bill would increase the number of gifted-and-talented spots in the school system from the current 30,000 to more than 110,000.
“We have so many exceptionally bright and talented students who aren’t being given the chance to reach their full potential, and yet the Department of Education cuts or threatens to cut our gifted-and-talented programs on an almost yearly basis,” Fidler said. “The measure we’re proposing today would guarantee, at the very least, a modest level of support for these deserving students and their families.
“One size does not fit all in education. All children should be challenged to the maximum of their potential no matter what neighborhood they live in and whether or not they can afford private school tuition or Westchester property taxes.” The bill, which will be the subject of a public hearing before the Council’s Education Committee, would amend the City Charter to include the requirement. Joining Weingarten and Fidler in urging support for the legislation were Councilmen Domenic Recchia Jr., Michael Nelson, Leroy Comrie, Vincent Gentile and a representative from the office of Charles Barron. Speaker Gifford Miller also announced his backing for the bill.