WATCH: Susan Ferrechio on New York mayoral candidate Mamdani’s plan for the city’s students

Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani is leading the race to become New York City’s next mayor. His education plan includes phasing out New York City’s programs for advanced learners in the city’s elementary schools. 

I’m Susan Ferrechio, Washington Times National Politics Correspondent.

This is my Q&A on Zohran Mamdani’s plan to phase out New York City’s gifted and talented programs. 

What exactly is Zohran Mamdani proposing to do? 

Mamdani says he’ll restart former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s phase-out of gifted and talented programs in the city’s elementary schools. 

I have spoken solely of gifted and talented for kindergartners. I do not believe that kindergartners should be subject to a singular assessment. I have not spoken of any gifted and talented programs older than for kindergarten. I’m solely speaking about kindergarten. And I believe that we should be delivering the best education across the country here in this city. - Zohran Mamdani

What’s Mamdani’s reason for proposing an end to this program? 

He says his plan would ensure public schools are fully funded with equally distributed resources and integrated student bodies. A spokesperson said children as young as five are too young to be separated from regular classrooms based on a test that shows that they are academically qualified for a gifted program. 

What’s happening with gifted and talented programs in other public schools? 

Mamdani is not alone in seeking to gut these programs. Other school districts have sought to get rid of separate gifted and talented programs, citing statistics that show minorities and low-income students are underrepresented. Some parents in Portland, Oregon, are asking the public school system to defund the program in order to stave off cuts to other parts of the school budget. In Seattle, Washington, the school district is phasing out its gifted and talented program, citing racial imbalances. 

How does Mamdani’s education plan fit into his campaign platform? 

Mamdani is a Democratic Socialist, and he said he’s working to lower costs and make the city more equitable for the working class and minorities.

I would make it clear to the president that I am willing to not only speak to him, but to work with him if it means delivering on lowering the cost of living. - Zohran Mamdani

He wants to freeze rent increases, open government-run grocery stores and provide free buses and early child care. He’ll fund it, he said, primarily with taxes on corporations and higher incomes. 

What concerns are critics raising about eliminating the gifted and talented programs? 

Critics of Mamdani’s education plan say getting rid of these programs is based on race and is illegal and discriminatory. The practice in other school systems has been challenged in the courts and could eventually end up in front of the U.S. Supreme Court. 

How would eliminating gifted and talented programs affect how U.S. students compete academically on a global level? 

You take away gifted and talented program, the one possibility that your child might get a really first-class education in public schools goes with it. - Andrew Cuomo

Proponents of the gifted and talented programs in U.S. public schools say they are needed to serve advanced learners and to keep American students competitive globally and able to excel in the U.S. workforce. 

Read more from Susan Ferrechio

Read more on the New York mayor’s race:

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• Andrew Cuomo tries to knock down ‘first-timer’ Zohran Mamdani in NYC mayor’s debate