NY S04015

Expands the list of specialized high schools to include Brooklyn Latin School, High School for Math/Science/Engineering at City College, High School for American Studies at Lehman College, Queens High School for Sciences at York College, and Staten Island Technical High School.

Requires all eighth grade public school students to take the specialized high school admissions test by October 31st starting in the 2022-2023 school year, with parental opt-out allowed, and mandates periodic bias studies by qualified third parties at least every four years.

Directs the chancellor to establish at least ten new specialized high schools by 2024-2025 (majority located at least two miles from existing specialized schools), create free test preparation programs for sixth and seventh graders, distribute test prep guides, and conduct outreach in underserved communities.

Requires each school district to establish at least one gifted and talented program for kindergarten through fifth grade and register all eligible students for gifted and talented admissions exams by the 2022-2023 school year, with parental opt-out permitted.

Establishes a 15-member Commission on Middle School Achievement (appointed by governor, senate majority leader, and assembly speaker) to review NYC middle school structure, operations, and performance and submit recommendations to the governor, legislature, and chancellor by December 31, 2021.