New York State Assm. Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate in New York City’s mayoral election, plans to end a program offering accelerated education to public kindergarten students if he wins, The New York Times Thursday.
He said in a statement to the newspaper that he would embrace former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan to phase out the Gifted and Talented program, which is only eligible for some students.
“I will return to the previous policy,” Assm. Mamdani reportedly said. “Ultimately, my administration would aim to make sure that every child receives a high-quality early education that nurtures their curiosity and learning.”
Kindergarten students who are currently in the program would stay, but no kindergartners would be able to join it next school year, The New York Times quoted Assm. Mamdani explaining. He reportedly declined to say whether he would stop third-graders from entering the program, another option currently available for students.
De Blasio announced in 2021 that he would replace the program with one offering accelerated education to older students. His successor, current Mayor Eric Adams, expanded Gifted and Talented the next year. Adams said in a at the time that his decision was about “giving every child, in every zip code, a fair chance and making sure no child is left behind.”
“We’re doubling down on this administration’s commitment to our youngest New Yorkers by adding additional seats and removing inequities in the admission process to allow students throughout this city to gain access to accelerated learning … This is how we give every young person an opportunity to grow, to learn, to explore their talents and imagination,” the mayor explained.
Adams has also reportedly expressed support for the city’s Specialized High Schools, which include nine high schools for students who excel academically or artistically. Mamdani told The New York Times he wants to keep an admissions exam for the schools, citing his own experience at one of them, The Bronx High School of Science.
Mamdani’s statements were in response to a questionnaire the newspaper sent to the mayoral election’s leading candidates, which also included former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa, founder and president of the Guardian Angels crime prevention organization.
Gov. Cuomo reportedly said more students need access to accelerated education, noting that too many black and Latino students are not supported early enough. Sliwa added that efforts need to be focused on helping more kids qualify, not eliminating opportunities for them, according to The New York Times.
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