On October 3, 2025, a contentious debate erupted in New York City’s mayoral race over education policy. Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani proposed scrapping the Gifted & Talented program for kindergartners, reviving a divisive idea from 2021, as Fox News reports. This plan has ignited fierce opposition.
Mamdani’s blueprint echoes former Mayor Bill de Blasio’s 2021 initiative to phase out the gifted track in elementary schools. If elected in November 2025, he intends to stop the program for incoming kindergartners next fall. Such a move prioritizes ideological uniformity over individual potential.
Opponents quickly fired back against this progressive agenda. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa both vowed to preserve the program, recognizing its value for bright young minds. Mayor Eric Adams, before exiting the race last week, had already expanded it.
Adams, during his tenure, reversed de Blasio’s policy by enhancing the Gifted & Talented framework, offering entry at kindergarten and third grade. His approach aimed to provide opportunities for diverse communities. Dismantling this now seems like a step backward for educational equity.
Mamdani, who benefited from attending the prestigious Bronx High School of Science, clarified his stance at a recent Friday press conference. He insisted his focus is solely on eliminating the program for kindergartners, citing concerns over early assessments. Yet, his own elite education undercuts this rationale.
In a statement to The New York Times, Mamdani doubled down, pledging to reinstate de Blasio’s policy of a universal second-grade test over the current model. His campaign, however, dodged requests for comment from Fox News Digital. This silence speaks volumes about accountability.
"If there are tens of thousands of applications for limited G&T spots, parents are telling you something: They want more of it, not less. The answer isn’t to say good riddance to those families. If there are issues with how young children are selected, then fix that and expand opportunities — give more at the start of education and more on-ramps later. Don’t eliminate the program," said Andrew Cuomo.
Cuomo’s logic cuts through the progressive haze—parents demand excellence, not erasure of opportunity. Scrapping the program ignores the clear public desire for more educational pathways, not fewer, especially for children who show early promise.
Cuomo, trailing Mamdani by 18 points in the latest Fox News survey with 27% support to Mamdani’s 45%, also proposed doubling specialized high schools. He aims to bolster prep programs in underserved areas and maintain rigorous admissions tests. This vision aligns with rewarding merit over mediocrity.
Polling from Fox News shows Sliwa at 11% and Adams, before dropping out, at 8% among registered NYC voters. These numbers reveal a fragmented electorate, hungry for clarity on education. Mamdani’s lead doesn’t guarantee consensus on his radical proposal.
Adams, in his parting shot, emphasized the program’s benefits for Black and Brown students under his expansion. His push for inclusivity through access, not abolition, offers a stark contrast to Mamdani’s cuts. Which path truly serves the city’s diverse youth?
Cuomo’s critique of Mamdani’s plan as emblematic of Democratic superficiality resonates with many conservatives. He argues for preserving opportunities, not perpetuating problems by leveling down. Under President Donald Trump’s national focus on excellence, such local battles carry broader weight.
The irony of Mamdani targeting a program while having thrived in a specialized school isn’t lost on observers. It’s a classic case of pulling up the ladder after climbing it. Voters deserve leaders who expand access, not restrict it.
This education showdown in NYC’s mayoral race underscores a deeper cultural clash over merit versus mandated equality. While Mamdani’s intent may stem from a desire for fairness, his method risks stifling potential. Conservatives see this as another overreach of progressive ideology.
As November 2025 approaches, New Yorkers must weigh whether to nurture talent or flatten opportunity in the name of equity. The Gifted & Talented debate isn’t just policy—it’s a referendum on values. Under President Donald Trump’s America, merit should still matter most.
