<p>zoosermom, under the current system, there are districts in the Bronx, huge population centers, where not enough kids scored high enough on the G&T test to fill a single class. Something’s not right there.</p>
<p>Oldmom, that is a huge problem but not the same thing as saying that it’s either G&T or remedial. Additionally, the current curriculum regime means that G&T teaches the exact same material as special ed.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>One common complaint I kept reading and hearing about from parents of current NYC public school kids* and SHS alums who do outreach is the non G & T classes in the underserved communities don’t cover topics one needs to have a chance on the NYC SHS exam such as algebra and geometry until 8th grade when it’s too late if one hopes to gain entry as a 9th grader. </p>
<p>And no, the math portion of the SHS exam hasn’t changed content-wise from the time I took it based on publicly available sample questions/exams. </p>
<ul>
<li>They’re the ones who either realized too late or whose kids entered the NYC public school system after early elementary school so they need to send their kids into prep to make up for what their local non G & T classes fail to cover and/or they take the test and find they’re completely unprepared.<br></li>
</ul>
<p>
Maybe they should move to New Jersey.
<a href=“States with the Best School Systems”>States with the Best School Systems;
<p>Cobrat, I say with as much courtesy as I can that you are just factually incorrect about much of what you say, and I don’t believe for a minute that you have these conversations that you cite. </p>
<p>Short Hills/Millburn have best school system, but they also have the highest property tax. My friend was paying 75K for property tax in SH. Summit, Madison, Chatham are just as expensive.</p>
<p>NJ also has some spectacularly terrible school systems. </p>
<p>
</a></p>
<p>Considering they’re living in some of the most underserved neighborhoods in NYC, I’d doubt they can afford living in areas like a NJ community I know of with topflight public schools. </p>
<p>You may as well tell such families to “Let them eat cake”, especially considering the high real estate prices to buy/rent in areas with good public schools. That is, unless you want them to relocate themselves to the worst parts of the state where they’re likely to face the same issues. </p>
<p>Crossposted with oldmom4896. </p>
<p>cobrat - who are we talking about here? I didn’t know we are talking about any specific people here. A lot of families may not be able to afford private schools in NYC, but they can well afford move out to the suburb with good school system. A family can rent a two bedroom apartment in Millburn NJ and go to the best high school in NJ.</p>
<p>cobrat, I am curious. Do you come from a background in which using passive voice or offering ambiguous “third-party validation” is preferable to direct communication? A lot of us use personal anecdotes to support our opinions, but we do it in a way that doesn’t rub people the wrong way. For instance, you say:</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>I hope you don’t mind, but here’s how you could make the same point in a less-grating manner and with fewer words!</p>
<p>“Schools admit all types of kids who may not fit the conventional mold, who are late bloomers, or who have learning or behavioral issues–and, obviously, many of them turn out just fine. We’ve all known students who never stood out in the classroom, or who were rebellious or antisocial, but then ended up going to respectable/elite colleges and careers.”</p>
<p>Do you see the difference? I am not saying what I wrote is perfect, but please try to understand the point–I am not trying to validate this statement with “HS classmates” or “one of my cousins” or whatever. Unless you are 85+, no one really believes that you know THAT many people with opinions about the many subjects we discuss on this site. By rephrasing my opinion (which might be based on actual experience, as you claim yours is) into terms that might resonate with others, it becomes a better continuation of the conversation. Or at least I hope so.</p>
<p>Per my above post, a family who is looking at sending their student to private school in NYC ( or prep), likely has the means if not the inclination to move to an area with better schools.</p>
<p>Or does prep school mean something different in NYC?</p>
<p>All this talk about NYC school system…</p>
<p>The wonderful state of NY spends $22,552 (median) per student.
The lowest district spends $13,557 per student (still astronomical).
And to think that parents on CC complain about the college cost - $22,52 is almost twice my daughter’s college cost.</p>
<p>It is really pathetic to see what NY gets for its money. To top this off, NYC just elected a mayor who is really tight with the educational establishment that gives us this wonderful education outcome. This is truly sad.</p>
<p>
I think that’s generally true and I know many families who do move to the 'burbs for schooling reasons. In the last year or so, several partners at my firm have moved back into Manhattan now that the kids are grown.To me, that makes a lot of sense. Living in Manhattan would be perfect (in my mind) for wealthy people who don’t have to deal with or decide for children.</p>
<p>
I really admire your choice of phrase “better continuation of the converation.” That’s what people have been trying to say less well for years. I don’t think you could have been more clear or more kind.</p>
<p>A lot of CC posters have very good way of phrasing things. They just sound so much better and nicer than I could ever say it. Something for me to learn even at my age.</p>
<p>I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if your kid <em>needs</em> a top-of-the-line school system or private prep school or what have you, in order to get into an “elite” school, maybe that’s not where they should be aiming in the first place.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Spot on. The problem is many parents are asleep at the wheel and let their kids coast until 9th or 10th grade and THEN try to make them A+ students to get into position to apply to elite schools. Generally that’s too little, too late. You get kids into top schools early. The top students are more or less completely self reliant by high school.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>That also only works if the curriculum of a given student’s academic track is sufficiently rigorous so those elite schools are interested or more modestly, the student is ready for actual college-level classes. </p>
<p>If one’s in some underserved neighborhoods or placed on the wrong academic track/less rigorous school, one can do all the homework, do well in middle/HS courses, get one’s HS diploma, and still end up not getting admitted/or worse…having to do remediation at one’s local public college:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/10/education/10remedial.html”>http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/10/education/10remedial.html</a></p>
<p>Re: post 216…it takes more than doing homework. But believe what you want to believe.</p>
<p>^Yep, saying it a million times doesn’t make it true. :)</p>