NYC’s Socialist Mayoral Hopeful Wants to Ditch the SHSAT—Here’s Why That’s Sparking Fire
Let’s Talk About That SHSAT Drama
You know those elite NYC high schools like Stuyvesant and Bronx Science? Yeah, the ones every immigrant parent dreams their kid will get into. Well, the single test that decides admission—the SHSAT—is suddenly back in the crosshairs. And this time, it’s Zohran Mamdani, a socialist mayoral candidate, leading the charge to scrap it completely. He’s calling the test racist. But is it really that simple? Let me break it down.
Who Even Is This Mamdani Guy?
So, Zohran Mamdani isn’t your typical politician. The dude’s a full-on Democratic Socialist, currently in the State Assembly, and he’s made a name for himself pushing radical stuff like defunding the police and rent control. Now he’s gunning for mayor, and education’s his next battlefield. His stance on the SHSAT fits his whole “smash the system” vibe, but—and here’s the thing—people are losing their minds over it. Some love him, some think he’s nuts. Classic NYC.
The SHSAT Mess: Why Everyone’s Fighting
Okay, quick explainer: the SHSAT is basically the Hunger Games for NYC’s top high schools. One test. That’s it. No interviews, no essays, just a brutal exam. Supporters say it’s fair—you either know the material or you don’t. But critics? Oh, they’ve got receipts. Black and Latino kids make up 70% of the city’s public schools but barely 10% of SHSAT admits. That’s… not great. And it’s been like this for decades. Lawsuits, protests, the whole deal. But here’s the kicker—nobody agrees on how to fix it.
Mamdani’s Big Argument: “This Test Is Rigged”
Mamdani’s not mincing words. He points to Stuyvesant’s 2023 numbers: 760 spots, only 8 went to Black kids. “This isn’t about smarts,” he says, “it’s about who can afford $200-an-hour tutors.” He wants to replace it with a lottery or maybe GPA-based admissions. Sounds good on paper, right? But teachers at these schools are sweating—they think dumping the test will tank academic standards. And honestly? They might have a point.
Team “Abolish the Test”
Groups like IntegrateNYC are all over this. They point to San Francisco, where a lottery system actually worked. “Rich parents can’t game the system anymore,” one principal told me. The dream? Keep the schools elite but finally let more Black and brown kids in. But—and this is a big but—what if it backfires?
Team “Keep the Test”
Oh man, the alumni networks are pissed. Talk to any Bronx Science parent and they’ll say the test is the only fair thing left. “Without it, it’s just who you know,” one mom told me. And Asian-American groups? They’re furious. Their kids dominate SHSAT admissions through straight-up grinding, and they see this as an attack. Can’t say I blame them.
What Normal People Are Saying
Twitter’s a warzone. Some folks are like, “Finally! The test is classist garbage.” Others? “This is how you kill excellence.” Politically, this could be a grenade in the mayoral race. Candidates will have to pick sides, and nobody wins when NYC parents get angry.
So What’s the Alternative?
Here’s where it gets messy. Options on the table:
- Lottery: Take the top 20% of middle schoolers and pick randomly. Pro: simple. Con: might let in slackers.
- GPA: Reward kids who hustle all year. Pro: no single test stress. Con: grade inflation is real, folks.
- Mix it up: Maybe test scores plus grades plus… something? Pro: balanced. Con: complicated as hell.
Nobody’s got a perfect answer. Surprise, surprise.
The Real Question Nobody’s Asking
Here’s what keeps me up at night: why are we fighting over crumbs? NYC’s got eight elite schools for a city of millions. Maybe—just maybe—the problem isn’t the test, but that we don’t have enough good schools period. But that’s a whole other fight.
Where to Learn More
- NYC’s Own SHSAT Stats (Prepare to Cringe)
- That Viral Atlantic Article Everyone’s Quoting
- Next Town Hall (Bring Popcorn)
Thoughts? Hit me up on Twitter. I’ll probably regret it.
Source: NY Post – US News