http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebat...itys-gifted-classrooms-useful-or-harmfulSegregation by Ability
New York Times
June 3, 2014
New York City’s schools chancellor, Carmen Fariña, who as a principal eliminated her school’s gifted classrooms, created a bit of stir recently by downplaying the importance of the city’s “gifted and talented” programs. Earlier this year, she said she would like to see neighborhood schools “provide gifted practices to all students.”
Should public schools offer these programs?
The home page of the NYT uses a neutral title, which I used for this thread. The title on the debate page, "Segregation by Ability", is loaded. Previews of the four debate entries are as follows.
Eliminate Gifted Tracks
By HALLEY POTTER, THE CENTURY FOUNDATION AND DAVID TIPSON, NEW YORK APPLESEED
New York City should adopt a schoolwide approach to gifted education, providing all students with appropriate academic challenges in classrooms that reflect the full diversity of each school.
America’s Future Depends on Gifted Students
By FREDERICK M. HESS, AMERICAN ENTERPRISE INSTITUTE
Anyone who has watched a teacher labor to “differentiate” instruction in a classroom that encompasses both math prodigies and English language learners knows it’s unreasonable to expect most teachers to do this well.
We Need Quality Education for All Students
By DARRICK HAMILTON, ECONOMIST
There is nothing magical or inherently good or bad about exposing black children to white children. What is critical is exposing every child to a high quality curriculum.
Tracking Students By Ability Produces Results
By BRUCE SACERDOTE, ECONOMIST
Eliminating all gifted and talented programs or specialized high schools could have serious consequences for bright but not wealthy students in New York City.
