The campaign of Zohran Mamdani hosted a private education-policy roundtable that has drawn criticism from education-advocacy groups and opponents alike for its guest list and agenda.
What Happened
The roundtable was presented as a forum to shape Mamdani’s potential education agenda if elected mayor. However, the invitees raised concern: attendees included activists opposed to standardized testing and to New York City’s gifted and talented (G&T) programs. Among them was Kaliris Salas‑Ramirez, who in prior remarks described standardized tests as rooted in the “eugenics movement.”
Notably, pro-rigor organizations advocating gifted programs—such as Parent Leaders of Accelerated Curriculum and Education (PLACE) and the New York City Public School Alliance—were excluded from the selection process. That exclusion has added fuel to concerns about an ideological slant to the meeting.
Key Issues & Reactions
- Critics argue that the roundtable signals a shift in direction toward dismantling or significantly altering gifted programs and standardized assessments in the city’s public-school system.
- Mamdani has previously pledged to abolish G&T admissions starting in kindergarten. The meeting appears aligned with those stated goals, but opponents say it lacks balance and representation of all stakeholders.
- One critic, Karen Feldman of the NYC Public School Alliance, warned the gathering opens the “floodgates to radical indoctrinating propaganda coming into the classroom.”
What It Means for Voters
- For families and educators who value gifted programs and standardized testing, the roundtable could serve as a red flag about future policy changes under a Mamdani administration.
- For progressive supporters who distrust current testing frameworks, the event underscores Mamdani’s willingness to align with radical reformists.
- Since this was a closed-door meeting, transparency and inclusivity questions loom—could future education policy be shaped by a narrow set of voices?
Next Steps to Watch
- Whether Mamdani’s campaign releases a more detailed education platform in response to the criticism, including how gifted programs and testing will be handled.
- If excluded groups (PLACE, NYC Public School Alliance) make their own statements or mount a counter-agenda during the campaign.
- How this roundtable is used in campaign messaging by Mamdani’s opponents, particularly those focusing on education as a key battleground in the mayoral race.
