New York City's process for eighth-graders to apply to about two dozen selective high schools, such as Millennium High School in Lower Manhattan, is facing backlash from many parents.
, such as Millennium High School in Lower Manhattan, is facing backlash from many parents.
"Parents are right to be concerned and outraged in many cases," said state Sen. John Liu of Queens, the chairman of the New York City Education Committee. In late January, Chancellor David Banks announced applications to these coveted schools would be decided by a lottery even if a student's grades don't measure up.
"Somebody with an 80 or 85 grade point average is going to have the same chance of getting into a school, into a selective high school, as somebody with a 95 or a 97 grade point average," Liu said. The schools chancellor could be having second thoughts about the fairness of the lottery system. At a recent meeting, Banks said he might make changes to the school selection process this week even though the deadline for applying is Friday.