Recently, Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic candidate for New York City mayor, announced his plan to gradually eliminate the “Gifted and Talented” program in public elementary schools and kindergartens if he is elected. This news has sparked concerns within the Chinese community, who fear that his election could regress New York City’s public schools back to the era of the previous left-wing mayor, Bill de Blasio. Some Chinese parents are urging fellow Chinese-American citizens to register as voters before October 25th and then come out to vote on November 4th.
Mamdani’s campaign team issued a statement on October 1st, revealing his intention to phase out the “Gifted and Talented” program in public school kindergartens. His proposal mirrors a controversial change made within the education department by former mayor Bill de Blasio before leaving office in 2021.
“If elected mayor, I will restore the previous policy,” Mamdani stated. “Ultimately, the goal of my administration is to ensure that every child receives high-quality early education, nurturing their curiosity and learning abilities.” The statement emphasized that current students in the Gifted and Talented program would not be affected, but starting next fall, kindergartens will no longer offer the program if Mamdani is elected.
Mamdani’s stance has provoked anger within the Chinese community. Huihua Chen, founder of the Coalition of Asian and Caribbean Americans for Good Neighborhoods (CACAGNY), a research fellow at the Manhattan Institute, and an education expert, expressed her discontent, stating that Mamdani’s move is a setback for all children.
“We know the benefits of the Gifted and Talented program for children. What he should do is expand it, not reduce or eliminate it,” Chen remarked. “New York City also benefits from it because it needs more graduates of quality education programs to maintain the vibrancy and strength of this city.”
Chen believes that Mamdani’s damaging plan for students partly stems from his lack of authentic work experience. She pointed out Mamdani’s “personality issues” displayed in the past, such as his attempt to falsely claim Black heritage to gain admission to Columbia University. “Mamdani’s failure will lead to the failure of this city,” Chen concluded.
The “Gifted and Talented” program in New York City originated in the public schools of the seventies and eighties, expanded and standardized under Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s leadership in 2008, and faced gradual elimination proposed by Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2021, only to be further expanded during Mayor Adams’s tenure.
Due to the Chinese community’s emphasis on education and strong work ethic, the Gifted and Talented program has been welcomed by the Chinese community.
Another Chinese parent and former state senate candidate, founder of “Asians for Chao Meng,” Ya-ting Zhu, described the Gifted and Talented program as a significant matter for Chinese parents.
“This program represents an opportunity, a limited opportunity for them,” she said. “Consider this, if the school near your residence is not good, then the Gifted and Talented program offers a chance for your child to enter a better school.”
Zhu believes that as a frontrunner in the polls, Mamdani should not touch upon the education issue, as it is detrimental to his campaign. Even if socialist politicians like Mamdani advocate for “equality,” canceling the Gifted and Talented program would not benefit Black or Hispanic children but rather lower the overall academic standards.
“This is a terrible move, just as terrible as de Blasio’s actions,” Zhu remarked. “He lacks the qualifications entirely. As a state legislator, one can express dissatisfaction with certain issues, but managing an entire city and all its institutions, resources… is a whole different playing field, and he lacks the ability to demonstrate any competence.”
In a statement received by this publication, former Governor Andrew Cuomo, currently running as an independent candidate for the next mayoral term, criticized Mamdani’s new proposal regarding the Gifted and Talented program. Cuomo labelled it a “political stunt” that exposed Mamdani’s “lack of a clear vision for education” and deemed it “destructive.”
Cuomo pointed out that the education department’s own survey indicated that 40% of parents leaving the public school system did so because they found the learning environment too lax and sought more rigorous teaching.
“If thousands of students are vying for limited spots in the ‘Gifted and Talented’ program, parents are telling you: they want more, not less,” Cuomo stated. “The answer is not to bid farewell to these families… this program cannot be canceled.”
Moreover, Cuomo announced his education plan, which involves not only retaining and expanding the Gifted and Talented program but also doubling special high schools and preserving the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT).
Republican mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa also criticized Mamdani’s proposal, pledging to expand the Gifted and Talented program.
In conclusion, Zhu urged the Chinese community to take immediate action by registering online if eligible voters and then going out to vote.
“For our children, for our city, you must register, you must vote,” she emphasized. With time until October 25th, online registration is simple and quick, taking only 2 minutes. “This is our right, and a reason we live in a democratic country like the United States. Exercise the rights bestowed upon you.”
When it comes to voting, Zhu reminded “right-leaning” Chinese individuals that their aim is to “prevent Mamdani,” but New York City remains a Democratic stronghold unlikely to elect a Republican mayor. Therefore, it is crucial to stay alert about which candidate can best defeat Mamdani.