UPDATE: The PEP voted to approve Pearson's contract for the new online Specialized High School Test. 

There is an upcoming vote to approve the new contract to have Pearson Testing write the next SHSAT and move it to an online format. If it is not approved, there may not be an SHSAT next year.

We're sharing this information in the hopes that parents will use the template letter below or draft something of their own to urge the PEP to approve the new contract and ensure continuity.

SLTs and PTAs at many schools are drafting similar letters to voice support for passing the contract, but individual parents and concerned citizens are definitely encouraged to write as well.

Please reach out to:
Chancellor Aviles-Ramos: mramos70@schools.nyc.gov
Deputy Chancellor Weisberg: dweisberg@schools.nyc.gov
Mayor Adams (prefers texts): (917) 909-2288
You may also submit comments to the PEP here: Official Comment Form
 

Template Letter
Mayor Adams, Chancellor Aviles-Ramos, First Deputy Chancellor Weisberg:

We understand that a significant vote which relates to the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT) is coming up on December 18, 2024 at the Panel for Education Policy (PEP) meeting. Specifically, the contract for Pearson, Inc. to develop and administer the SHSAT will be reviewed for approval. The DOE requested a contract with Pearson for a digital SHSAT exam because it aligns with other standardized tests (e.g., SAT, APs, PSAT, NYS Grade 3-8 Math & ELA exams) already in use by NYC students. The previous contract for the SHSAT has expired and there is no other contract currently in effect for administering the SHSAT.

The SHSAT admissions test is NY State law (Hecht-Calandra Act of 1971) and is crucial to maintaining Specialized High Schools, which provide an important pathway for accelerated learning in a public school setting.

Based on First Deputy Chancellor Weisberg's recent remarks to the PEP, there is acute concern that if this contract is not approved, then there will be no SHSAT administered for Fall 2025, which would affect 25,000 eighth graders and 5,000 ninth graders across NYC, with the dire result of no freshmen class admitted in fall 2026 to the Specialized High Schools.

We therefore urge members of the PEP to vote Yes to approve the SHSAT contract at PEP's December 18, 2024 meeting, so that all NYC students may continue to have the opportunity to take the SHSAT without disruption.

Thank you.

Sincerely, [Your Name]