Assemblyman Colton (D – Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) hosted a meeting on Wednesday, February 19, 2020, to alert parents and community members to prepare to fight another attempt by the Mayor and the Chancellor not only to eliminate the objective SHSAT criteria for admissions to our Specialized High Schools but also, to continue closing down gifted and talented programs in middle schools. The meeting was well attended by a number of community leaders and elected officials, including Assemblyman Peter J. Abbate, United Progressive Democratic Club President Nino Magali, 47th Assembly District Leader Nancy Tong, and Vito LaBella who is with the Parents Association at I.S.187 - Christa McAuliffe School.

"Parents must be ready to bombard the legislature with letters and emails to stop the DOE from undermining our Specialized High Schools. All parents should demand gifted and talented classes to be placed in all schools for early grades and middle schools while funding remedial programs for those children who are underperforming. LaBella who filed a lawsuit to block the Mayor's plan spoke at the meeting agreeing with me that parents must be ready for the coming community fight," Colton said.

"Way back in 2014, Assemblyman Colton sounded the first, alert to parents and has been fighting since for children to get admitted to Specialized High Schools by merit, and also demanding more gifted and talented programs in all schools," said Vito LaBella.

"Petitions were distributed at the meeting to mobilize parents for another big fight that will be happening in May. If you would like to sign or help to carry petitions to support SHSAT and gifted and talented programs, then please come to my office at 155 Kings Highway, Brooklyn and pick up one. We must fight for our children's' future. Together we can make a difference," Colton added.