Race/Related: The Long Wait for School Integration in New York City

2019年10月19日星期六

October 19, 2019

By Eliza Shapiro

New York City has one of the most segregated school systems in the country. And this past spring, when it was announced that only seven black children got into Stuyvesant High School, arguably New York's most revered public school, the backlash was explosive.

People wanted to know why New York's most elite public schools did not reflect the demographics of the city — and what should be done to fix it.

As an education reporter for the Metro desk at The Times, I've spent the last several months interviewing parents on both sides of the debate.

I heard from black and Hispanic families who said they felt that their children were being denied one of the city's most precious resources — a high-quality education. They said they did not know schools like Stuyvesant existed or learned too late how to help their children study for the required entrance exam and apply.

I heard from white and Asian-American families, who are overrepresented in the city's elite public schools, who said the demographics were unacceptable. But they did not support sweeping changes to the admissions process that would bring more black and Hispanic students in, but most likely leave many of their own children out.

In June of last year, a proposal to eliminate the entrance exam to these schools as a way to help diversify the student body failed amid intense opposition.

I followed the fight, joined by a team from "The Weekly," the Times's new television show, as well as the Times Magazine writer Nikole Hannah-Jones. We attended late-night community meetings and met with student activists agitating for more diversity in their schools. Mayor Bill de Blasio has said he needs more time to address the issue. Students and parents are still waiting for answers.

As you will see in this week's episode, which premieres tomorrow night, patience is running thin.

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