The NYC Department of Education (DOE) eliminated screening of 9-year-old children for middle school admissions and implemented a lottery system, which gives every applicant an equal chance of acceptance. Students still rank schools of their choice.

This policy is in effect today but the Chancellor has left the decision to keep or change the middle school admissions process to each Community School District Superintendent. Not surprisingly, a small group of vocal parents in District 2 are calling for a return to screened admissions.

We must make sure the equitable admissions process remains in place. We need you to write to the DOE and urge them to do so.

Eliminating discriminatory screening has resulted in diverse student populations in many middle schools. It has also led to a simpler and easier admissions process for families, who no longer had to navigate a complex system with multiple admissions criteria that differed from school to school. Most importantly, 9-year-olds are not judged based on their test scores, grades or attendance.