More incoming kindergartners qualified for gifted and talented programs in the city's public schools this year, although fewer kids were tested. According to Department of Education data released today, 3,542 incoming kindergartners are eligible for district or citywide programs as compared to 3,231 last year. (Data about students in other grades was not available today.)

The percent of qualifying kindergarten testers has increased from 18% in 2007-08, to 22% in 2008-09, to 28% this year. The DOE standardized admissions criteria citywide in 2006, for the 2007-08 school year.

There were 2,400 fewer students tested for kindergarten G&T programs this year than in 2009-09. The DOE said that there was a spike in test takers last year, especially in Staten Island, the Bronx, and Queens, because previously most programs in those boroughs began in 1st grade, not kindergarten. Now all G&T programs begin in kindergarten.

All incoming kindergartners and 1st graders who score at or above the 90% on the assessments are guaranteed a seat in a district program, providing they list all available options on their applications. Those scoring between 97 and 99% are eligible for five citywide programs. Applications are due today.<!--more-->

A quick look at the data shows that while most districts saw a rise in the percentage of test takers who were eligible for district programs, there was a decrease in qualifiers in District 4 (East Harlem), District 14 (Williamsburg and Greenpoint), and District 32 (Bushwick where only seven students qualified).

In three districts, 40% or more of those tested are eligible for district programs: 47% in District 3 (the Upper West Side), 44% in District 2 (which includes Manhattan's East Side and the West Side south of 59th Street), and 40% in District 13 (which includes Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene, and parts of Prospect Heights and Park Slope.) In those same three districts more than 20% of those tested were eligible for citywide programs. The percentage of testers eligible for citywide programs rose over last year, in every district except District 32.

The number of test takers varied widely around the city with 1479 tested in District 2 and only 85 in District 7 (the South Bronx, which did not offer a gifted program for incoming kindergartners last year.)

In general, a G&T program is not offered in districts where fewer than 10 students qualify.

We have asked the DOE which districts will not offer programs to incoming kindergartners next year, and to confirm which new district programswill open, and whether there will be any new citywide programs.Last yearnew citywide programs opened in Brooklyn and Queens; the Bronx and Staten Island are still waiting.

Far more children qualify for citywide seats than there are slots available. Based on our calculations, from conversations with citywide schools, there are fewer than 300 seats available in those programs.  In District 2 alone, 341 children qualified for a citywide program.

We asked for a further breakdown in the data, including how many students scored in the 99th percentile. We'll post the information as we get it.

Click here for the spreadsheet with the G&T results.

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