G+T programs: What's happening in your neighborhood?
We've heard reports from parents across the city that some g+t programs in local schools have been shuttered for the coming school year -- for a range of reasons, including low enrollment and g+t funding cutbacks by DOE planners. We've asked the DOE repeatedly for a current list of g+t district programs (they say it's coming), but hear conflicting reports from parents, principals and administrators in the field. That's why we're asking readers to let us know of changes in their districts.
In District 6 in Washington Heights, for example, g+t programs that recently enrolled up to 80 kindergarten students have been pared back to one class (a second class was cancelled when too few families enrolled their children). We've heard of changes, too, in District 18 in Brooklyn and elsewhere.
Our readers are our eyes and ears on the street; please let us know what's happening in your neighborhood.
5 comments:
From a reader in District 6:
"As a District 6 parent, I write to comment on the DOE's statement regarding District 6 in the Aug. 12 article you posted. The DOE told you that G&T programs were closed in D6 because insufficient numbers of children qualified. The real story is more complicated. D6 stretches from the upper 130s to the northernmost tip of Manhattan -- a huge swath of land. Between 40-60 children met the cutoff in D6 (in 2007, there were approx 80 Kindergarteners enrolled in G&T programs in the District). The DOE closed 2 of the 4 G&T programs, 2 of which were located in the middle of the District (and very close to what I believe was the highest concentration of qualifying students, although this is just based on anecdotal evidence). The only 2 options for qualifiers were located at 147th St (PS 153) and 212th St (PS 98). Although PS 153 had amazing potential and committed leadership from its principal and G&T coordinator, only 5 students registered. For most people who were offered a seat, it was simply too far for them. Because only 5 students registered, the DOE has closed PS 153. The end result: only 1 G&T program exists now in D6, and it is located at 212th St, which is just too far to be practical for many families in this District. Sorry for the long winded response, but I am so tired of seeing the DOE spin the facts and make misleading statements. The fact is that plenty of children qualified for G&T in D6. The reality is that the way the DOE limited their options resulted in not having meaningful options."
Has anyone received a 4th or 5th grade G&T placement offer yet? The G&T office told me today that letters were sent last week and should be recieved by the middle of this week. Where are they mailing from?
Rumors are circulating fast and furious that some children are getting offers at undersubscribed g&t schools. Is there ANY truth to this? Can a family who only ranked one or two choices and then got shut out request to be placed at an undersubscribed school? Has it happened?
It's Aug 19 and I too am waiting to hear about 4th grade G&T placmt. The Parent Engagmt Rep I just spoke to said all the noise I was hearing in the background was the letters going out TODAY for all K-5 G&T placement. Who can we believe???
My daughter who scored in the 97th percentile for K entry got a letter about a week ago with an offer to TAG. We declined as she is all set to go to our neighborhood school PS 29 on Staten Island which is blocks from our house. TAG would mean dragging her up to E. 109 every day from Staten Island and that just seems crazy when we have a very good school nearby. Rumor has it that PS 29 will have a G&T program in the next year too - even better!
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