Zohran Mamdani's Plan to End Gifted Programs for New York Kindergarteners Sparks Educational Policy Debate

Mamdani stands firmly against expanding charter schools in New York City.

New York:

Democratic nominee and frontrunner for New York mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has revealed his intention to eliminate the city's gifted and talented program for kindergarten students in public schools, stepping into a controversial educational debate just weeks before the election.

The 33-year-old democratic socialist told the New York Times that if elected in November, he would implement former Mayor Bill de Blasio's 2021 plan to phase out the program from elementary schools. This stance contrasts with current Mayor Eric Adams, who expanded the program during his tenure while modifying the admissions process.

"I will return to the previous policy," Mamdani stated to the newspaper. "Ultimately, my administration would aim to ensure every child receives high-quality early education that nurtures their curiosity and learning."

A spokeswoman for Mamdani clarified to Bloomberg that his plan specifically targets ending the program for kindergarteners, arguing that 5-year-olds "should not be subjected to a singular assessment that unfairly separates them right at the beginning of their public school education."

His campaign later informed the Times on Thursday that third grade would remain an entry point for the gifted program next year.

Critics have long argued that the gifted program contributes to segregation in New York City schools, with White and Asian students being overrepresented according to the city's Independent Budget Office. Previously based on an admissions test taken primarily by 4-year-olds, the Adams administration modified it to a system where pre-K teachers first screen and recommend students, who are then selected through a lottery.

Mamdani's proposal has drawn sharp criticism from former Governor Andrew Cuomo, an independent candidate currently polling second. Cuomo argued that parents are seeking more opportunities for rigorous instruction and are leaving the city when these aren't available.

"If there are tens of thousands of applications for limited G&T spots, parents are telling you something: They want more of it, not less," Cuomo stated. "The answer isn't to say good riddance to those families. If there are issues with how young children are selected, then fix that and expand opportunities - give more at the start of education and more on-ramps later. Don't eliminate the program."

A May 2024 PLACE NYC Admissions Survey of over 450 public school parents found that nearly 70% of kindergarten applicants opposed the teacher recommendation and lottery system for G&T placement, citing an "overly subjective selection process" that diluted the curriculum. Many advocated for resuming "developmentally appropriate" kindergarten screening.

Mamdani and Cuomo also disagree on charter schools and mayoral control of New York's school system. Mamdani has criticized mayoral control as a means to "steamroll over any kind of critique or concern" regarding school policy. "It has pushed students, teachers, parents out of so many of the decisions that they then bear the burden of," Mamdani stated at a recent mayoral candidate forum.

Cuomo strongly supports mayoral control, calling it the most significant educational reform in the US in 40 years.

"Reversing mayoral control means you go back to the old system, which is basically community-based control. And what happened there was that it became very politicized," Cuomo explained in an interview with Bloomberg News.

Mamdani additionally opposes expanding charter schools, which are tuition-free, independently operated public schools, arguing they undermine universal public education principles.

Cuomo, however, supports adding more charter schools, telling Bloomberg he "would use charter schools as one of the vehicles where you have a failing public school."

Interestingly, when it comes to New York City's specialized high schools, Mamdani – himself a graduate of Bronx Science – supports maintaining the controversial entrance exam.

Former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, founder and majority owner of Bloomberg News parent Bloomberg LP, has endorsed Cuomo in the primary and contributed to a PAC supporting his candidacy. The former mayor is also a significant charter school donor.