All Kids Deserve A Chance

Brooklyn, NY - With the slogan “All Kids Deserve a Chance” at the heart of their efforts, State Senator Parker joined Mayor Bill De Blasio as the Mayor announced his plans to diversify the specialized high schools in New York City.  According to City Hall, Black and Latino students make up 70 percent of the City’s overall student population, but only comprise 10 percent of the student body at the eight (8) specialized high schools across New York City. Senator Parker currently has legislation in the New York State Senate that is in line with the Mayor’s goal of making sure New York City’s specialized high schools reflect the demographic makeup of the City.  Assemblyman Charles Barron is the lead sponsor of the same legislation in the State Assembly.

Senator Parker stated that, “This is not solely about diversity, but more so about ensuring that students who come from black and brown communities have the opportunity to receive a first class education. 

If Senate Bill S8503A were signed into law, it would permit additional measures of student achievement to be considered during the application process like student GPAs and teacher recommendations.”

Studies conducted by the Mayor’s office also highlight that the incoming freshman class at institutions such as Stuyvesant High School only has ten (10) African-American students in a class of more than 900.  

The Brooklyn lawmaker concluded, “We want to ensure that our students, who work hard and display a strong commitment to their school and home communities, have the opportunity for their full resume to be considered as part of the admission process.”

About State Senator Kevin Parker

Senator Kevin S. Parker is intimately familiar with the needs of his ethnically diverse Brooklyn district comprised of sections of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Windsor Terrace, and Park Slope.  A lifelong Brooklyn resident, he is the Ranking Democratic Member on the Senate Committee on Energy and Telecommunications.

Senator Parker is the Whip of the Senate Democratic Conference; Member of the Senate Democratic Conference Policy Group; Member of the Senate Select Committee on Technology & Innovation; and Member of the Senate Democratic Minority and Women-Owned Business Task Force (MWBE).

For the 2018-19 Legislative Session, Senator Parker serves on the Senate Standing Committees on Finance; Rules; Higher education; Labor; Insurance, and Banks.

For more information on Senator Parker, please visit www.nysenate.gov/senators/kevin-s-parker