High Stakes Decisions: How NYC Students Have Fared Under High School Choice

New York City’s system of high school choice is the largest in the nation, with students bidding for placement among hundreds of schools. The goal was to let students escape low-performing neighborhood schools, allowing them to compete for a spot in up to 12 schools anywhere in the city. Today, 80 percent of participating students get one of their top five picks. But placement of the city’s most vulnerable students remains controversial. And the act of choosing schools is often overwhelming for families. New York University professor Sean Corcoran recently completed ground-breaking analysis of the choices students make—and where they are ultimately placed. He will report on the trends and offer front-line observations from other scholars in New York.

Remarks: Sean Corcoran, associate professor, New York University

Mr. Corcoran then joined in a conversation with: Arlen Benjamin-Gomez, staff attorney, Advocates for Children Carol Boyd, Bronx parent, New Settlement Parent Action Committee Robert Sanft, CEO, Office of Student Enrollment, NYC Department of Education Carolyn Sattin Bajaj, doctoral candidate, New York University

Moderator: Clara Hemphill, Center for New York City Affairs and Insideschools.org

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