Adams Calls for 'Gifted' Test To Be Given to All Students

Eric Adams, the overwhelming favorite to be elected Mayor Nov. 2, is hoping to give the test that determines admissions to the city’s gifted-and-talented program to all students rather than having families seek it out.

The next Mayor will face the task of transforming the gifted-and-talented program, which Mayor de Blasio has announced will be phased out and replaced with Brilliant NYC. The news sparked backlash from parents and elected officials. Mr. Adams scoffed at the proposal and said that he would instead expand the program, ensuring that it was offered in neighborhoods that have not had access to G&T classes since Michael Bloomberg was Mayor.

'Make It an Opt-Out'

Typically, just 2,500 kindergartners each year were accepted into the program, which has underserved black and Latino students.

“I am going to call on an opt-out program—instead of parents having to navigate the complexities of taking the test or signing up for the test, we’re going to automatically give it to all of our children,” he said. “Not only at four-years-old, but also continuously monitor children throughout their educational experience.”

The test that has been given to four-year-olds seeking to enter the city’s gifted-and-talented program has been criticized for being developmentally inappropriate, including by the United Federation of Teachers.

“Any revamped gifted program would need to come up with criteria for admission. We still don't believe in a single admission test, particularly for very young children," UFT spokeswoman Alison Gendar said.

'Buying' Their Way In 

Mr. de Blasio eliminated the test—which critics said was ripe for favoring those who spent money on expensive prep courses for their children—but it is unclear how Mr. Adams intends to revamp the admissions process for the gifted-and-talented program. He has said he believed in keeping the test, but that it should not be given to four-year-olds.

But, he noted, “We’re having the wrong conversation.”

Instead of focusing on students who were already performing well, the city Department of Education should be finding ways to help children with learning disabilities succeed, said Mr. Adams who frequently noted during the campaign that it wasn't until he was a high-school student that he was diagnosed with a learning disability.

Students have faced increased learning loss because of the coronavirus pandemic. Mr. Adams supports a vaccine mandate for students, once a vaccine for young children receives full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

“We are going to follow the science,” he said.

Remote Option for Some?

He also stated that he would be open to offering a remote option for students who remained unvaccinated.

Mayor de Blasio has opposed that because he believed all children needed to be in school in-person.

The UFT did not indicate whether it would support a student-vaccine mandate. School staff are already required to be inoculated against COVID.

"We want to protect our youngest students. We would consult with our medical experts on any expansion of the existing childhood vaccination requirements," Ms. Gendar stated.