Senator Schumer Urges NYC Panel to Preserve SHSAT: “Don’t Derail Opportunity for Hard-Working Students

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Washington, D.C. – In a strong call to action, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer urged the NYC Panel on Education Policy to maintain the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT), the longstanding gateway to New York City’s prestigious specialized high schools. Schumer emphasized that eliminating the test would create chaos, jeopardize fairness, and deny thousands of dedicated students their chance at academic excellence.

Schumer’s statement comes ahead of a pivotal vote by the Panel on Education Policy regarding the future of the SHSAT. The test has been a cornerstone for admission to top-tier schools like Stuyvesant, Bronx Science, Brooklyn Tech, and Staten Island Tech, which are known for producing some of the brightest graduates in the city.

“The NYC Panel on Education Policy must keep in place the testing system that governs admission to NYC’s specialized high schools,” Schumer stated. “Derailing that process would unfairly deny opportunity to countless students and families who work hard to take the test with hopes of admission to these superb schools.”

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The SHSAT has long been a symbol of opportunity, offering a merit-based pathway for talented and hard-working students to access high-quality education. Schumer pointed out that NYC’s specialized high schools are “special places” where motivated students thrive, fostering an environment that consistently produces graduates who excel in college, the workforce, and their communities.

Critics of the SHSAT have argued that the test creates inequities in access to specialized schools. However, Schumer firmly contended that scrapping the exam without transparency or a viable alternative would undermine fairness and disrupt the educational landscape for families preparing for next year’s admissions cycle.

“Students and families deserve clarity,” Schumer said. “Failing to approve the contract would undermine transparency and fairness and unjustly deny opportunity to striving students.”

The possibility of voting down the SHSAT contract has sparked concerns across the city, with many viewing it as a bypass of state law. Schumer warned that removing the test without public debate would erode proven pathways to success.

“There is only one fair option for New York City’s students: the NYC Panel on Education Policy must approve the contract for the SHSAT this week,” Schumer concluded.

As the debate over the SHSAT continues, Schumer’s remarks amplify the voices of thousands of students and families who believe the test represents their best chance at securing a brighter future. The decision now lies with the NYC Panel on Education Policy, which must weigh fairness, opportunity, and the city’s commitment to academic excellence.

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