@Penny I say that because school's are not only academic but also social institutions. segregating people of different intelligences and economic classes does not make for a well rounded citizen and I think would help to perpetuate a division between the two things. not all people who aren't book smart aren't smart in their own ways and letting everyone in would I think foster a spirit of cooperation and teach valuable teaching and social skills.

@Penny They are Exam schools, you need to pass the exam fo get in, they want the elite students.
If they let everyone in it ruins its mission of elite education for the smartest kids.

@IstillmissEP people can excel on their own without excluding those who don't. it's bad enough the people who arent that smart have to struggle to keep up, but to not have the help or motivation of higher intelligence classmates and to be excluded as well? it may make the teachers' jobs harder but that's where advanced classes can come in.

@IstillmissEP education shouldn't be a competition

@IstillmissEP if the students fail out then there are or let there be vocational school options for them. success can be it's own form of admissions requirement. then it's not excluding anyone, but the students capabilities garner whether they can continue attending or not?

@IstillmissEP well, that is a problem I suppose. hmm. perhaps schools (as in high schools) shouldn't focus so much on academic or college readiness so much as life skills related to general employment and the basics such as reading writing and arithmetic. let college prep be an option for students. if students don't plan on going to college it seems sad and frustrating for them to have deal with college preparatory classes in order to graduate high school. this might be where vocational schools can help. maybe focus on making them better and more desirable to attend.

@IstillmissEP are they college prep specific or general public schools? again this conflict could be resolved by not mandatory admissions but mandatory achievement. some people don't test well but excel in class. it would increase the dropout rate, but the blame would be on the student not the school. as far as then lowering achievement standards, just refuse.

@IstillmissEP well, i dont know how the school system is in NY and I do think it makes sense that there are elite schools for excellent students. I just think that the fact that there is elite schools as part of the public school program isnt fair. not saying more intensive college prep schools shouldn't be allowed but it just reeks of catering to the privileged. one person in the video brought up the factor of some students having access to tutors and stuff while others don't. that does inject a wealth factor into the mess making it less fair. i just think public schools putting a focus on equality rather than excellence is a good idea. it should be about learning and cooperation. we are supposed to be a democracy where everyone matters. is being the most intelligent and educated the goal or learning to live in harmony with one another? i understand hard work can equal higher pay, but hard work doesnt always equal that. what is harder, sitting at a desk crunching numbers or slaving away at a physically exerting job?i suppose it's about ability and elitism nowadays. that's the problem with this country. not everyone is valued equally. of course not everyone has equal character that is worthy of value, but perhaps this division is whats causing the negative attitudes of the less desirable in the first place. i dont think this problem can be solved on a one school basis and it's policies should probably be left in place while making more of an effort to increase the quality of vocational schools so everyone is treated more fairly and given equal credit for their value to society.

@IstillmissEP well, if they were that smart would they really need to rely on public school to educate themselves? especially in this computer age of free knowledge.

@IstillmissEP I mean beyond "average" schooling. but anyway, i already stated i think they should leave it and put the focus on bolstering vocational schools so each demographic gets their own form of special treatment