The state’s top court dismissed a lawsuit on Thursday that claimed New York City’s gifted and talented (G&T) programs—which mayoral front-runner Zohran Mamdani wants to phase out—are racially biased against Black and Latino students.
The suit, filed in March 2021 by 13 anonymous students and the group IntegrateNYC against the city and state, alleged that the screening and tests for admission into the selective programs and schools favored white and Asian students, relegating minority students to inferior classes.
However, the Court of Appeals, in a 5-2 decision, disagreed, ruling that the lawsuit failed to prove systemic discrimination or intent.
“As plaintiffs have failed to adequately plead that they were denied a sound basic education, the claim must be dismissed,” Associate Justice Michael Garcia wrote for the majority opinion.
The lawsuit noted that Black and Latino students received only 4.5% and 6.6% of admission offers at specialized high schools such as Stuyvesant and Bronx Science, despite composing a combined 70% of all students.
Previously, the state Supreme Court had dismissed the case, but the Appellate Division reversed that decision. Ultimately, the Court of Appeals delivered the final ruling in favor of the defendants.
In a dissenting opinion, Associate Justice Jenny Rivera sharply criticized the decision, stating that the plaintiffs had laid out a “stunning indictment” of the New York City public education system and exposed “discriminatory governmental practices.”
A parent group supporting G&T and other merit-based programs welcomed the ruling. PLACE NYC (Parent Leaders for Accelerated Curriculum and Education) issued a statement saying, “This ruling reaffirms the integrity of merit-driven selection processes that ensure every child, regardless of background, has a fair shot at excellence in our public schools.”
PLACE NYC’s co-president, Yiatin Chu, called the decision “a win for parents and students who believe in rewarding hard work and nurturing potential.” He added, “This ruling sends a clear message that New York will continue to prioritize student achievement and provide opportunities for accelerated learners.”
Jean Hahn, a parent of a gifted and talented student who intervened on behalf of the defendants, expressed relief. “As a parent defendant, I’m relieved the court has debunked the misconception that gifted programs are racist and recognized gifted students’ valid needs,” Hahn told The Post Thursday night. “Hopefully this puts an end to the misguided attacks on an issue that should never have been politicized.”
Mamdani has proposed eliminating gifted and talented programs for grades K to 3, sparking backlash from some parents. Former Mayor Bill de Blasio had eliminated G&T programs in lower elementary grades in 2021, but this controversial change was reversed by Mayor Eric Adams when he took office.
https://nypost.com/2025/10/24/us-news/court-tosses-suit-claiming-nycs-gifted-and-talented-programs-are-racially-biased-win-for-parents/
