tests in Seattle exclude kids of color, low income kids from g & t programs

["Monty Neill" <monty@fairtest.org>]

Standardized tests remain a major barrier to equal educational opportunity in Seattle. A new report on the city's 'gifted and talented' program found that while 70 percent of those in gifted programs are white, whites are only 40% of the student body; 

Post-Intelligencer: only 5 percent of students in the Accelerated program are eligible for free or reduced lunch, while nearly 40 percent of the overall district student body qualifies. That measure reflects students in low-income families.

Times: The report also raised concern about student selection, saying admission to the program relies too much on a single test and is unfair to low-income students and students without parental support.

and: About 1,500 students in APP are admitted after testing in the 98th or 99th percentile nationally in cognitive ability and reading and math skills. They can spend almost their entire public-school experience together, starting at Lowell Elementary School, on to Washington Middle and finishing at Garfield High.

The articles say the city is aware of the problems and looking to fix them, but the only example of doing so was a comment in the PI indicating use of the state test (WASL) in addition to the IQ-type tests now used: The district, for example, has sent letters to top performers of the Washington Assessment of Student Learning from underrepresented groups, such as those who learn English as a second language, encouraging them to explore advanced learning programs. 

Students of color in the programs also reported racist comments and bullying. 

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2004050142_app04m.html 
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/342176_app04.html
Monty Neill, Ed.D.
Executive Director
FairTest
342 Broadway
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-864-4810 x 101;  fax 617-497-2224
monty@fairtest.org
http://www.fairtest.org
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