This document outlines concerns from parents and educators about the lack of equity and transparency in the middle school choice process for District 15 in New York City. It notes that the current system leads to segregation of students by race and socioeconomic status. Survey results found that less than 9% of parents prioritized selective schools, less than 3% wanted to keep the current complex system, and over 70% said it caused stress for their children. The document calls for policy changes to create a more equitable alternative that provides high quality, accessible education for all children in integrated schools.

1. Parents for Middle School Equity
May 27, 2015

2. We are parents and educators who question:
❖ The competitive sorting of 10 year olds.
❖ The segregation of our middle schools.
❖ The stress and lack of transparency of the “choice”
process.
We seek an equitable alternative that results in
good schools for ALL our kids.

3. District 15 is Diverse
The diversity is both racial and socio-economic.

4. We are Segregating Students by Race

5. We are Segregating Students by Socio-
Economic Status

6. “Choice” Contributes to Racial Segregation

7. “Choice” contributes to Socio-Economic Segregation
“ The system is meant to perpetuate inequalities and track children early on” —
Parent comment

8. Parents Top Priorities
Less than 9% of parents surveyed
ranked selective/screened schools as important.

9. The Process is Overly Complex
Less than 3% of parents surveyed want to keep the current system.
71% said the process was stressful for their child and family

10. Transparency is Key
96% of parents want clear
admissions criteria
“Children aren’t really placed, they are ‘admitted,’ which
seems contrary to the idea of public school, when the
opportunity for high quality, easily accessible education is
supposed to be available for all children.” —Parent
Comment
“It has become more stressful, especially for students. As
a District 15 fifth grade teacher I see students with a great
deal of anxiety over ‘doing well.’”

11. Parents Want Change
“The stress of this process weighs on kids and dominates their learning experience in 5th grade”
--Parent Comment
“I was shocked to see how segregated the middle schools are and the vast difference in the quality of
the education received (as I could see it after touring 13 schools).” --Parent Comment

12. Comments From Our Survey
“Fosters an air of competition that seems unhealthy for 10 and 11 year olds.”
“It is meant to perpetuate inequalities and track children early on. .
This . . . contradicts
the very principle on which public education was funded. It couldn't be less democratic. “
“Too much segregation in NYC schools racially, economically, academically; it is
ridiculous; so much focus on being ‘elite’ and ‘gifted.”
“Right from the start it favors people with greater flexibility who can afford to miss work
or pay for additional childcare to go through the process. “
“There needs to be a change so that all the schools have an equal distribution according
to income, race and elementary school attended.”

13. “Integration does not happen by
itself.”
❖ Parents do not want their children sorted and
segregated
❖ An equitable middle school placement process
requires policy change
❖ Let’s create a model system of great, integrated
schools!