Project Title:   Specialized High Schools Low Acceptance Rates for People of Color

 

 

Teacher:                   Ms. Williams

School:          Arthur Tappan P.S. 046

 

INTRODUCTION:

In 2022 black and latinx students made up only 9% of the students chosen to attend specialized high schools in NYC. Historically this number has always been low. Why are the city’s largest population not attending our top high schools? Last year students across the five boroughs were given the opportunity to join a six-week enrichment program in May 2022 and again in July 2022 with hopes of increasing acceptance rates of Black and Latinx students into the New York City Specialized High Schools. With the anxious waiting for high school acceptance notices to be released will there be an increase in acceptance for students of color?

Objective: Students will use the 6 steps of the PPA to research why specialized high schools have low admission rates for students of color and define possible solutions to this yearly problem.

 

TASK:

You will have three weeks to gather research and produce the following:

1.    Write a final 500 - word research paper on the assigned social problem.

2.    Create a PowerPoint presentation defining the problem and possible solutions to present to the class.      

Be creative with your presentation. Use pictures, videos, posters, and other materials to enhance your presentation. Remember creativity is key!

 

PROCESS/Resources:

You will work in groups of three to gather research using the 6 Steps of Public Policy Analyst (PPA).

1.    Define the Problem

○      Define a social problem that is a condition that some people in a community view as undesirable.

2.     Gather Evidence

○      Use online resources to gather evidence that the problem exists

3.    Identify the Causes

○      Identify causes and factors that contribute to the social problem

4.    Evaluate an Existing Policy

○      Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of the current existing policy.

5.    Develop a Solution

○    Use your research to develop multiple possible solutions.

6.    Select Best Solution

○      Select the best possible solution that will meet the needs of the community.

 

RESOURCES:

Gather evidence and do online research. You will use credible online sources to complete your research.  Here are a few credible resources to get you started!  Use the Gathering Evidence Graphic Organizer to organize and answer the research questions.  

●      NBC Network

●      Chalkbeat NY

●      Ivy Coach

●      NYC DOE

●      Preparing for the Test

●      DREAM Program

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

You will be placed into groups of two.  You will be assessed individually and as a group.  You will work with your partner to answer the following research questions.

1.    What are the acceptance rates of Hispanic and Black/ African American students in NYC specialized high schools?

2.    What are the acceptance rates of Asian students in NYC specialized high schools?

3.    What are the acceptance rates of European White students in NYC specialized high schools?

4.    Compare and contrast acceptance rates among students from title 1 schools versus acceptance rates of students from screened schools.

5.    Compare and contrast acceptance rates of Hispanic students and Black/African American students versus Asian and European White students.

6.    Identify three possible causes for low test scores on the SHSAT.

7.    Identify possible causes and solutions for low admittance rates for students of color in NYC specialized high schools.

8.    Identify ways for students to prepare for the SHSAT exam.

 

Create a 500 - word research paper that includes your responses to the questions that are supported with researched data and evidence. You will analyze multiple strategies to try and find a solution for the problem. Use MLA to format all citations and references.

 

DIFFERENTIATIONS:

Students may use the following supports throughout this project.

1.    Gathering Evidence Graphic Organizer

2.    Creating Your Essay - Graphic Organizer

3.    Essay Checklist

4.    Peer Essay Editing Checklist

 

EVALUATION:

Rubric:

Quality of research

3 - Meets

Grade Level Expectations

2 - Approaching

Grade Level Expectations

1 - Below

Grade Level Expectations

Structure and Organization

Effectively introduces claim(s).

Skillfully acknowledges alternative or
opposing claims.

Skillfully organizes the reasons and evidence logically.

Effectively supports the claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using accurate, credible sources and effectively demonstrates understanding of the topic or text.

Provides an effective concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.

Partially introduces claim(s).

Succeeds in only partially acknowledging
alternative or opposing claims.

Partially organizes the reasons and evidence logically.

Supports the claim(s) with reasoning and evidence, using accurate, credible sources and demonstrates partial understanding of the topic or text.

 

Provides a concluding statement or section that somewhat follows from and supports the argument presented.

 

Fails to introduce or minimally references the claim(s).

Does not acknowledge alternative or opposing claims.

Fails to organize the reasons and evidence logically.

May support the claim(s) with insufficient or irrelevant reasoning and evidence, and may not use accurate sources and fails to demonstrate understanding of the topic or text.

Fails to provide a concluding statement or section that follows from and supports the argument presented.

 

Quality of Research

All information relevant to topic.

 

Sufficient information provided to support all elements of topic.

 

All steps of the PPA were used.

 

Research in-depth and the beyond the obvious, revealing new insights gained.

Some information relevant to claim.

 

Sufficient information provided.

 

Most stores of the PPA were used.

 

Research of sufficient depth.

Some information relevant to claim.

 

Information provided to support some elements of topic.

 

No steps of the PPA were used.

 

Surface research.

Presentation

Information is presented with knowledge and creativity.

Information is presented with acceptable knowledge and minimal creativity.

Information is unclear or lacking.

Teamwork

Each group member made contributions to the project and presentation.

Most group members made contributions to the project and presentation.

Few members made contributions to the project and presentation.

 

 

CONCLUSION:  

By completing this research assignment, students will understand the disparities in acceptance rates of students of color in NYC specialized high schools. They will also gain understanding in how to better prepare for the SHSAT exam while meeting the required grade level standards.

 

STANDARDS:

7W1: Write arguments to support claims with clear reasons and relevant evidence.

7W1a: Introduce a precise claim, acknowledge and distinguish the claim from a counterclaim,

7W1b: Support claim(s) with logical reasoning and relevant evidence, using credible sources while demonstrating an understanding of the topic or text.

7W1e: Provide a concluding statement or section that explains the significance of the argument presented.