This was actually proposed in nyc - going to composite scores after the debacle with Pearson and so many 99s. This year had a different test and there were fewer 99s, still more than there were seats though. .
You would never know from this discussion that many nyc families happily go to their local district schools. Contrary to Bostonians choices - there are many excellent non g+t local schools. Which is why only 13, 000 of the 38,000 potential kindergarters took the test, sometimes that's because of failing schools, sometimes it's because of recognition the kid needs more, and still others do it because of the perception of the benefits and extras in the schools. In 2014 3400 got above a 97 but all those who got above 90% get placed in g+t but not always the one they want which is why many turn it down for local school after not getting the top schools. There are only five citywides, the equivalent of Stuyvesant for the elementary set - that is what the craziness is over. That there aren't more of those. And the same way that the making of more specialized high schools didn't dilute stuy or bx sciences reputation and desirability, no amount of additional seats will make these 5 elem school less coveted among a certain group. And there is a difference just like there is a difference at the high school level. But having more of them, particularly in the bronx and the outer reaches of the outer boroughs is what will improve opportunities and also lessen the racial imbalance in the specialized schools. But you don't hear that talk currently from the chancellor or the mayor. However, the debacle from Pearson really put testing and g&t on the radar for politicians. So it is possible that there will be more seats eventually, of course then you hear that there is no difference between a 99 and a 98, it just a bad day. Actually on the OLSAT and naglieri, it's actually a lot of questions wrong between 99 and 98 so it is a reasonable tool for determining if a 5 year old is going to be able to be grade skipped to 1st grade, because that's what the citywides are - globally accelerated programs, the regular g+t fills with high achieving kids but they are not accelerated just enriched so for the tiger parent the difference is crushing. But not all kids can handle the pace, and a lot of parents can't either.
Of course for the DYS kids, none of the nyc schools are great options, not the privates, not the publics. The kids are just too unique. But by virtue of the lottery, a DYS can easily get shut out, which makes the whole system laughable.
DeHe
