Thankfully, through your efforts, the state legislature did not act in June to abolish the Hecht/Calandra law that requires the SHSAT be taken to gain entry to the Specialized High Schools.

City Resolution to abolish the SHSAT.  The anti-SHSAT proponents have not given up. A few weeks ago a city council member Keith Powers who represents mid-Manhattan sponsored a resolution to repeal Hecht-Calandra and return control of Specialized High School admissions to the city.  He has expressly stated that he does not believe in a single test and despite the fact that 75% of the students at these schools are minorities he cites the lack of diversity at these schools.   Other co-sponsors are Brad Lander and Inez Barron.  A city resolution may encourage state legislators to act on abolishing Hecht-Calandra.

Just this week, the city’s principal’s union gave the Mayor and Chancellor a vote of no confidence. This is a perfect example of why the city should not control admissions to the Specialized High Schools.

State Efforts The abolish Hecht-Calandra bill now has a version in  the State Senate. Julie Salazar, Robert Jackson, Luis Sepulveda, and Velmanette Montgomery  are co-sponsors that match the  Assembly  bill co-sponsored by Jo Anne Simon, Walter Mosley, Michael Blake, Charles Barron, Harvey Epstein and Tremaine Wright. .

SHSAT in November.  The city has not committed to giving the SHSAT this year on November 2.  The Chancellor,Carranza,  cancelled many tests during the pandemic. He has never supported the SHSAT and has been quoted as saying “never waste a good crisis”.

December - There is another special state legislative meeting in December and then the regular session begins in January. With an Assembly and Senate version of the bill and the city resolution pending its seems they are going to try again to get a vote on abolishing Hecht-Calandra.

Other Opponents- A group called Teens Take Charge has been organizing the effort to abolish Hecht-Calandra. Their backers are unknown but you can see their partners on their website. https://www.teenstakecharge.com/

On a forum with parents, front running Queens borough president candidate Donovan Richards said he does not believe in a single test for admission to the Specialized High Schools, and like other politicians focused on the lack of diversity but not the overwhelming minority population of the schools.

Other  Miscellaneous  In 2021 New York will elect a Mayor and many members of the City Council. This is an opportunity for voters to decide the future of New York. Many elections will be decided in the June 2021 primaries.

Action-  Stay informed, please visit MeritFund.org to get on our mailing list or email SMF.Merit@gmail.com or visit KeepSHSAT.org for updates.