Bad education is the problem, not a test

Houston: I graduated from Brooklyn Technical High School in 1987 and I’m so tired of the SHSAT debate. Some so-called Black leaders are demanding an end to the test governing admissions to the top schools in NYC. Nobody cared about the falling number of Black and Hispanic kids at these schools until white kids in the area — the ones gentrifying Fort Greene and DUMBO — stopped being able to get in. I don’t hear the same cries about how their parents don’t make education a priority that folks say about Black and Hispanic parents.

And stop trying to blame the Asian kids. They’ve always had some sort of test prep. I grew up a block from the East Broadway F station. I watched my Asian neighbors go to programs at the Chinatown Y or Transfiguration Church on Saturdays for “Chinese school.” Black and Hispanic students all over the city still got into specialized schools. But somehow, the test is racist. No. What’s racist is the school in their neighborhood not teaching algebra in the 8th grade, a skill essential for performing well on the SHSAT. What’s racist is gifted and talented programs being gutted in Black and Hispanic neighborhoods.

When I attended Tech, lots of friends went to non-specialized schools and got great educations. How do we now have more specialized high schools and fewer Black and Hispanic students gaining admission? It’s because the schools suck. It’s not the damn test.

Indian Harbour Beach, Fla.: To Voicer Ed Greenspan: I too had my pension stopped (I’m now 95) because I did not receive a letter to see if I’m still alive! No phone calls or........

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