Mamdani Says He Would Phase Out N.Y.C. Gifted Program for Early Grades
Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic front-runner in the mayor’s race, plans if elected to replace the selective program, which became a symbol of segregation in public schools.
Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic front-runner for mayor of New York City, plans to end the gifted and talented program for kindergarten students at public schools if he is elected, calling for a major overhaul of a program that has deeply divided parents.
Mr. Mamdani’s campaign said in a statement that he would embrace former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan, announced in 2021, to phase out the gifted program for elementary schools, which has been widely criticized for exacerbating segregation.
Students who are in gifted classes would remain in the program, but there would be no gifted program for kindergartners next fall, the campaign said on Wednesday.