New citywide G&T program at PS 20 cancelled
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One of the three new citywide gifted and talented programs, slated to open this September at PS 20 in Brooklyn, has been canceled, according to Department of Education spokesperson Andy Jacob. PS 20’s former principal, Sean Keaton, was arrested in May for allegedly attacking a teacher. It’s not known whether or how Keaton’s actions, and their consequences in the wider community, affected the school’s prospects.
The net result is that the program will not open, and it will not be moved to a different school for September, although the DOE will “continue to look” for opportunities to open citywide G&T programs in the future, according to Jacob. Just not at PS 20.
Update: Yesterday, Andy Jacob of the DOE told us (and the New York Times’ “The Local” blog) that the PS 20 citywide program would not open due to lack of sufficient interest. Our instinct, that Keaton’s arrest put the kibosh on the school, wasn’t far off the mark: As was noted on The Local, and as explained by Jacob earlier today, Principal Keaton’s difficulties were a factor in the decision to cancel the program.
Jacob said that the DOE heard from parents who had listed PS 20 on their applications, but changed their minds after the Keaton imbroglio. Parent uncertainty was “part of the reason” DOE elected not to open the program, Jacob said. The DOE might have been able to fill the classes (based on the applications they’d received, choosing PS 20), but “we were getting indications that many parents would not accept their assignments.” The anticipated pushback from parents, combined with uncertainty about the school’s leadership, influenced the DOE’s decision to close the program before it opened.
Demand for the Brooklyn School of Inquiry, however, is so strong that the DOE has added a third kindergarten class. Instead of opening with two kindergarten and two 1st-grade classes, the school will open in September with three kindergartens and one 1st grade.
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Jacob told us the program was canceled because not enough parents of G&T kids wanted to send them to PS 20. The assault charge probably didn’t have much to do with it as the incident happened 5/21, the day after applications were due.
- Andy Newman
The Local
http://www.nytimes.com/fortgreene
Comment by andy newman — June 16, 2009 @ 10:59 pm
As a Brooklyn parent who’s child is eligible for Citywide G&T, I can tell you, it does not surprise me at all. We went on the tour for the PS20 G&T. We walked out halfway through the tour. It was a joke.
We commented afterwards, “Can you imagine anyone selecting that school on their application?!”
I guess we were right.
Comment by Dave — June 17, 2009 @ 7:06 am
It is the same as in the Bronx PS54 is a failing school in a bad area and PS 7 is a failing school where a high % of kids speak only spanish. DOE is putting G&T programs in failing schools to bring up scores. That is why PS54 G&T program was closed last year. BUT GUESS WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!THEY PUT IS BACK ON THIS YEARS LIST.
Comment by cathy — June 17, 2009 @ 6:54 pm
I only hope these Gifted and Talented kids are smarter than their parents.
Comment by k — June 17, 2009 @ 8:35 pm
PS 185 in Brooklyn closed its G&T program for incoming kindergarten student — after the applications for G&T were due. Dozens of families had selected PS185 as their first choice. Anyone know what happened? Has this happened anywhere else?
Comment by Anonymous — June 17, 2009 @ 8:45 pm
The failure of this new city wide program is disappointing to say the least. More than anything, it shows how out of touch the DOE is with what parents want - how else can you explain this given the ever increasing interest and eligibility for G&T programs? Clearly they just don’t listen to what parents are telling them when establishing and developing these schools and programs.
And make no mistake, the DOE places programs in failing schools to appease the PC police and raise scores/school profiles. Perhaps not in this case but certainly in the outer boroughs where the school districts are geographically huge and the programs are limited in number.
In my experience the DOE does not solicit parent input when establishing programs - or CEC or Community Board or local educators input either - and they certainly do not specifically locate programs in schools where the majority of eligible students live.
Comment by Anonymous — June 18, 2009 @ 9:43 am
PS 20 was part of the district 13 G&T program (AKA the LEAD program) as was PS 11, PS 9, and PS 282 about 5 years ago when my son was in kindergarten. It was a relatively decent G&T program and it’s really disheartening to hear about the quality of the program in the last couple of years. A close friend removed both of her daughters from the school about 2 years ago because of concerns about the staff and the quality of education.
Comment by Silone — June 18, 2009 @ 12:14 pm
We were notified that our daughter received a spot at the Brooklyn School of Inquiry. We did not have the opportunity to visit the school, and would love to hear from parents who were able to attend the information session. We heard great things about the school and the principal, however want to get a balanced sense from other parents.
- What was your impression of the teachers/staff/principal?
- Anyone from Park Slope considering sending their child here? What type of busing, if any, would be provided for folks who live in Park Slope?
- What pros/cons did you identify during the information session?
- What was your impression of the facilities that will be at the school? What were some of the major points that the school brough up with respect to its new facility?
- What was the school’s point of view on the diversity they expect in the school (e.g., will it be a good mix of children from different socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds?)
I appreciate any feedback.
Comment by Neel — June 20, 2009 @ 8:32 am
Neel,
Congratulations! Here are some quick answers to your questions:
- What was your impression of the teachers/staff/principal?
The principal and staff did a great job of selling the school, which was an impressive accomplishment given that it does not yet exist. Donna Taylor, the principal, was inspiring. She spoke with authority about research on gifted education and fielded many tough questions from a room packed with many anxious parents, as did the rest of her staff. We left thinking that nearly everyone who attended (easily more than 200 people) were going to put it down as a choice.
- Anyone from Park Slope considering sending their child here?
I don’t know. We live in Brooklyn Heights.
What type of busing, if any, would be provided for folks who live in Park Slope?
Many people asked about busing. Donna said there were very straightforward rules about the city providing busing based on living distance from the school. They may be on the school’s website or the DOE website. But she pointed out that for some of the other citywide programs, parents from particular neighborhoods have arranged for their own, privately-funded buses.
- What pros/cons did you identify during the information session?
There was some worry from parents that the school would not open on time. Taylor said she was assured that wasn’t going to happen and she was keeping on top of the DOE. Some parents didn’t like that they were going to teach a variation of Everyday math for gifted kids and not Singapore math. I thought the principal gave a very good explanation for why she chose the first. I don’t remember all the specifics, but she didn’t like the emphasis on drills and tests in Singapore math. From my perspective the only con was the lack of a track record. It is going to be a gamble, no doubt about it. Also it doesn’t seem very easy to get to, although we are going to try a test run on the subway this weekend.
- What was your impression of the facilities that will be at the school? What were some of the major points that the school brough up with respect to its new facility?
The building itself sounded very nice and I believe there is a large gym and some outdoor space incorporated into it. There was also supposed to be a music room with instruments.
- What was the school’s point of view on the diversity they expect in the school (e.g., will it be a good mix of children from different socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds?)
I don’t think this was asked while I was there. You probably know that it is a general criticism of NYC gifted programs that they lack diversity. Given that the entirety of this school will be pulled from that pool, there is no reason to believe it will be very diverse. The truth is they have no control of the school mix because the enrollment is based entirely on test scores and a lottery.
That’s it! Good luck. Our son was admitted to the grade 1 class, but we haven’t yet decided if we will accept.
Comment by Phil — June 20, 2009 @ 9:27 pm
Posting #8:
… What was the school’s point of view on the diversity they expect in the school (e.g., will it be a good mix of children from different socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds?)…
opinion: The new Bklyn school for GT: will probably look end up looking like NEST+M
white: 52%, Asian: 22%, Blacks: 10%, Hispanics: 15%
Title I (Free lunch): 13%
https://www.nystart.gov/publicweb-rc/2008/c5/AOR-2008-310100011539.pdf
Comment by Anonymous — June 21, 2009 @ 9:11 am
http://groups.google.com/group/another-first-grade-at-bsi
G+T Program at Brooklyn School of Inquiry (BSI) - for 1st Graders
We have started a Google Group for 1st Grade parents who were shut out of BSI. If we get enough families I thought we might be able to make some noise and get the DOE to reconsider and open an additional 1st Grade. Interested?
address to join:
http://groups.google.com/group/another-first-grade-at-bsi
Some background: originally, BSI planned to have two K classes and two 1st Grade classes.
Apparently, the Office of Student Enrollment thought that there would be more interest in K classes than in 1st Grades, and rearranged to have three K and only one 1st Grade.
If your child has been shut out of BSI’s 1st Grade, please join our Google Group.
Comment by BSIParent — June 25, 2009 @ 10:19 pm