Two weeks ago, John Boy posted a New York Times article where many critics scrutinized the admissions policy for New York City’s eight specialized high schools. In the upcoming fall school year, only seven blacks and 21 Hispanics have gained admittance to Stuyvesant High School. A recent article published by SILive once again highlights the low representation of blacks and Hispanics in another specialized high school, Staten Island Tech.
Link for the article is here.
Just like Stuyvesant, SI Tech came under fire after the results of the admittance rates revealed that no black students will be part of the incoming freshman class this fall. The article, however, blames the entrance exam, even dubbing the SHSAT as ‘faulty.’ As an alumnus of SI Tech, I strongly disagree with the arguments presented in the article. I think that the admissions process should not be changed because the SHSAT does indeed give a fair playing field for all test-takers. Furthermore, unlike standardized exams like the SAT, the SHSAT is not meant to trick students; it is straightforward! It is neither discriminatory nor racially biased; it is merit-based. If admissions system is changed, then these schools will no longer be the ‘jewels in the crown of our public school system.’ If a student is unable to attain the score needed to get into these specialized high schools, the finger cannot be pointed at the test. There are plenty of factors that can determine how well a student performs on the SHSAT. Such examples include: Does the student have the motivation to study? Is the student learning the proper materials in school? Is the student receiving support from their families and teachers? Does the student have the confidence that they will do well? Etc. Others will argue that the reason some students are unable to do well is because they lack the economic resource to pay for test prep. This assumption is completely wrong. I never took test prep and I still managed to get into SI Tech. How? Through a lot of studying! I am aware that some people lack the motivation to study, but I believe that if a students wants it enough (like I did), they are able to get it.
So what does everyone else think? Should the SHSAT stay or go?
I completely agree with you. As someone that took the SHSAT as well, I found it to be rather unbiased. The biggest difference between the SHSAT and the SAT is pretty much that the SAT isn’t a stand alone test. Meaning, that that test isn’t what your entrance into college is solely based off of. You can theoretically do a little worse on the SAT and still get into your dream school, whereas for the SHSAT, doing well in that test is the only way of getting into the specialized high schools.
By what I have picked up from my friends in school, and on my soccer team, Asian and White parents tend to send their kids to test prep much more than Hispanic and Black parents do. The kids that do go to test prep in a way have it a little easier, because their mandated to do so, whereas the kids that don’t have to go, do have to show a bit of commitment to actually study on their own. Speaking from personal experience I was rather lazy. I chose not to study that much which is why I got accepted to Brooklyn Tech, and not to Bronx Science or Stuy.
That doesn’t necessarily mean that I’m any less deserving to go to these high schools than other students, its just that I feel that the SHSAT tries to weave out commitment. If you’re really committed into getting into one of these schools then you will. I personally feel that if more Hispanic, and Black students were told from a younger age about the benefits of these schools, and were given enough motivation to study harder, then there would be a higher acceptance of these demographics into Stuy. It’s not the tests fault that these kids aren’t getting into the specialized high schools. A very good argument could be made for lack of motivation, but I don’t feel that one can be made for the SHSAT in particular
I also took the SHSAT and went to Staten Island Tech, like Reylyn. There was an article on the very front of the Staten Island Advance the other day that jumped out at me. I’m still confused as to why this is considered such a huge issue; it makes me curious to look into the lives of some of these minorities that don’t make the cut to see exactly what is causing this, which, I think, is something those that consider this issue greatly should do as well before they make such complaints.
This is a bit of an odd criticism of Staten Island Tech to me as well – there were about three African American students in my/Reylyn’s graduating class, true, but there were also Russian Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, Greek Americans, Italian Americans, Middle Eastern Americans…the list goes on. Although the population of Asian Americans at Staten Island Tech is likely the largest of the ethnic groups and the population of African Americans the smallest, why worry so much about making representation so balanced? There are plenty of different ethnicities represented in Staten Island Tech and, like in the world we live in, there are majorities and minorities.
As for the SHSAT, I think it’s very simple – preparation will help you pass. Whether it’s a prep course (I’ve known of one or two that are completely free) or a thick workbook that you force yourself to get through, this test requires preparation. At the same time, there is also a cutoff. In 2011, SI Tech was rated as the 13th top school in the nation – it takes more than preparation to make it there.
Essentially what I think is that officials should take a look at some of the lives of the minorities that aren’t getting in and see what exactly it is that is causing this, keeping in mind it may not be and likely is not because of lack of test prep opportunities – and also should not make the test any easier than it is.