Overemphasizing a Test, Oversimplifying Our Children - An APA Perspective on Specialized High School Reform towards Educational Equity

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Aladdin

Position paper from the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families on Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) reform in New York City. Argues that relying on a single exam as the sole admissions determinant violates principles of educational equity by reinforcing segregation and limiting diverse representation across race and socioeconomic status. Provides historical context from the Hecht-Calandra Act, describes documented disparities in offers and seat representation, and explains the APA community’s barriers and vulnerabilities. Calls for eliminating SHSAT as the sole measure and adopting multiple measures.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Background: SHSAT and the history of segregation in NYC public schools

CACF's Stance on SHSAT Reform

# Overemphasizing a Test,Oversimplifying Our Children:An APA Perspective on Specialized High School Reform towardsEducational Equity Coalition For Asian American Children and Families November 2018 CACF stands in support of eliminating the SHSAT (or any single test)as the sole measure forgaining admission to New York City's specialized public high schools.CACF supports shiftingto the utilization of multiple measures in any school admissions process. ## Background:SHSAT and the history ofsegregation in NYC public schools Department of Education as an English language learner(ELL). Since 1971,the New York State law known as theHecht-Calandra Act mandated that the entrance to thethree oldest and largest specialized high schools -Stuyvesant High School,Bronx High School of Science,and Brooklyn Technical High School-must bedetermined by a single exam.[1]The legislation wascreated as a means to preempt efforts to diversify theBronx High School of Science,which used a single testfor entry and was at the time estimated to be 90 percentwhite.[2]As then-New York City Schools ChancellorHarvey Scribner sought to investigate complaints ofdiscrimination in admissions processes,concerns ofthose interested in maintaining the status quo werebrought directly to the NY State legislature and theHecht-Calandra Act was passed,creating the Statemandate for using a single exam to determine entry intospecialized high schools.[3] For years,education advocates and researchers haveargued that the Specialized High School AdmissionsTest(SHSAT)as the only measure for admissions intothe City's most coveted public high schools is unfair andposes a major barrier to diversity in those schools.Diversity in schools includes race as well associoeconomic status,culture,gender,sexuality,religion,differing abilities,language,and all othercategories under the Dignity for All Students Act.Ultimately,integrated schools would not only reflect thediversity of our City,but would also provide inclusiveand equitable learning environments that embrace andsupport the full participation of all students. In New York City,specialized high schools reflect largersystemic issues that contribute to a lack of diversity andintegration,and ultimately to segregation and inequityin schools.For example,in 2018 only 10 percent ofoffers from New York City's eight specialized highschools went to Black and Latinx students.Of the City'shundreds of middle schools,only 21 middle schoolswere represented in nearly 50 percent of specializedhigh school seats.Also in 2018,only one(1)student outof nearly 16,000 students across ALL specialized publichigh schools in New York City is classified by the New York's schools are some of the most segregatedschools in the entire nation.[4]The City's specializedhigh schools are a severe reflection of this segregation,and maintaining the single exam perpetuates thatsegregation.In order for New York City schools tomove towards providing a more inclusive and equitableeducation for all,the City must address inequitableadmissions policies and practices for its specialized highschools. We cannot define a child by a moment.That is nota comprehensive assessment of a child's ability,nor is it a humane way to treat children. Hira Bokhari,The Bronx High School of ScienceClass of 2010 ## CACF's Stance on SHSAT Reform Defense Fund's complaint against NYC schools,statingclearly our belief in promoting equity and inclusion inthe specialized high schools,which the single testmeasure helps to prevent. The Asian Pacific American(APA)community isincredibly diverse and vast,consisting of groups fromEast Asia,South Asia,Southeast Asia,theIndo-Caribbean and Pacific Islands.Contrary to thestereotype of the model minority myth,too many APAfamilies and children continue to struggle to succeed.According to the latest report from the Mayor's Officeof Economic Opportunity,APAs have the highest rateand intensity of poverty among all racial/ethnicgroups,as well as int

FAQs

What is CACF’s main position on SHSAT in specialized high school admissions?

CACF supports eliminating the SHSAT (or any single test) as the sole measure for gaining admission to New York City specialized public high schools and shifting to multiple measures.

Why does the document argue that using a single test is unfair?

It states that SHSAT as the only admissions measure is invalid, discriminatory, and detrimental to students’ long-term success while perpetuating segregation and inequity.

What historical factor is cited as shaping SHSAT-based admissions?

The paper explains that the Hecht-Calandra Act mandated the entrance to the oldest and largest specialized high schools be determined by a single exam, and that it was passed in response to concerns about attempts to diversify one school.

Sep 15, 2026

Uploaded by Aladdin