Axing gifted education hurts our kids, our classrooms — and us all

Nypost · Sep 24, 2026 · 570 words · By John Stossel

Ability Grouping in Schools Educational Equity vs. Meritocracy

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What to know about Ability Grouping in Schools

Axing gifted education hurts our kids, our classrooms — and us all See more of our coverage in your search results.

Claims checked 6

Techniques found 4

Topics 2

Coverage spectrum

Coverage gap: Low Left coverage

Left0%

Center0%

Right100%

1 source compared across this story cluster. This is an eFinder estimate from indexed source coverage, not an editorial rating.

What happened

Axing gifted education hurts our kids, our classrooms — and us all See more of our coverage in your search results.

Why it matters

Schools are ending gifted and talented programs: They will no longer separate kids by ability.

Common ground

To address “inequity.” “This is so misguided,” education researcher Michael Petrilli told me.

Perspective signals

The tension in the story is sharpened by Loaded Language, Name Calling / Labeling, Straw Man: language that can make the dispute feel more urgent, personal, or adversarial than the underlying facts alone.

Follow-up questions

What new context would change how readers understand this Ability Grouping in Schools story?
What evidence would most clearly confirm or weaken the claim that My current mayor, Zohran Mamdani, wants to get rid of gifted classes until third grade?
How does this story connect Ability Grouping in Schools with Educational Equity vs. Meritocracy over the next few days?

open_in_new Read the original article: https://nypost.com/2026/09/24/opinion/axing-gifted-education-hurts-our-kids-our-…

psychologyPropaganda Techniques Detected

eFinder identified 4 propaganda techniques in this article. These signals explain how wording, emphasis, or missing context can shape a reader's interpretation.

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Loaded Language 90% confidence

Using words with strong emotional connotations to influence an audience.

Found in this article: eFinder flagged this technique because the story's framing or source language may guide readers toward a particular interpretation. Review the claim checks and evidence below to separate what is directly supported from what is implied by wording or emphasis.

Why it matters: Recognizing loaded language helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

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Name Calling / Labeling 85% confidence

Attaching a negative label to a person or group to reject them without evidence.

Why it matters: Recognizing name calling / labeling helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

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Straw Man 80% confidence

Misrepresenting an opponent's argument to make it easier to attack.

Why it matters: Recognizing straw man helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

warning

Exaggeration / Hyperbole 70% confidence

Overstating facts or claims to create a stronger emotional response.

Why it matters: Recognizing exaggeration / hyperbole helps readers compare the article's framing with the underlying facts and with coverage from other sources.

fact_checkClaims Checked

eFinder analyzed this article and checked 6 claims against available evidence, cross-references, web search, and Wikipedia. Here is what the fact-checking layer found.

verified Verified By Reference 3

check_circle Corroborated 3

verified

Claim 1: “My current mayor, Zohran Mamdani, wants to get rid of gifted classes until third grade.”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

The evidence confirms Zohran Mamdani is the Mayor of New York City (as of 2026), but none of the provided sources mention his specific stance or policy regarding the removal of gifted classes until third grade.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Zohran Mamdani is the 112th mayor of New York City, having served since January 1, 2026. A member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of America, Mamdani was elected mayor in the 202…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayoralty_of_Zohran_Mamdani

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Zohran Mamdani, an American Democratic politician serving as the mayor of New York City, identifies as a democratic socialist. He is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America's New York City ch…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_positions_of_Zohran_…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Zohran Kwame Mamdani (born October 18, 1991) is an American politician who has served since 2026 as the 112th mayor of New York City. A member of the Democratic Party and the Democratic Socialists of …
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zohran_Mamdani

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 2: “Schools are ending gifted and talented programs”

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources indicate a widespread debate and active efforts to end gifted and talented programs due to concerns over racism and exclusion, with specific examples of programs being ended (e.g., NYC).

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Who Is Gifted? Gifted and talented programs have been a feature of American public schools for nearly a century. Nationwide, these programs enroll a relatively small share of students.
https://www.educationnext.org/gifted-and-talented-programs-d…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Critics say gifted and talented programs are racist and exclusionary and should be ended. Others think more students should be admitted.
https://learningenglish.voanews.com/a/us-schools-debate-gift…

travel_explore

web search NEUTRAL — Gifted education (also known as gifted and talented education (GATE), talented and gifted programs (TAG), or G&T education) encompasses various forms of teaching to students identified as exceptional.…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gifted_education

verified

Claim 3: “The change began in 1985, when education theorist Jeannie Oakes wrote “Keeping Track,” a book that complained that tracking students created racially segregated classrooms.”

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

Wikipedia and other web sources confirm Jeannie Oakes authored the seminal book 'Keeping Track' which focuses on how ability tracking creates inequality and segregation in schools.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Jeannette Louise Oakes (born January 15, 1943; dead April 25, 2024) was an American educational theorist and Presidential Professor Emerita in Educational Equity at UCLA's Graduate School of Education…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeannie_Oakes

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Marilyn Jeanne Seely (July 6, 1940 – August 1, 2025) was an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and author. Primarily identified with country music, Seely found success with the Grammy Award…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeannie_Seely

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Tracking, phasing or streaming refers to grouping students by academic ability for all subjects or certain classes and curriculum within a school. Track assignment is typically based on academic abili…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracking_(education)

+ 3 more evidence sources

verified

Claim 4: “A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research shows universal test-based screening for giftedness leads to “large increases in . . . economically disadvantaged students and minorities placed in gifted programs.””

VERIFIED BY REFERENCE

While the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) is a verified organization, the provided evidence does not include the specific study or the quote regarding universal test-based screening for giftedness.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) of the United States Department of Commerce is a U.S. government agency that provides official macroeconomic and industry statistics, most notably reports about t…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bureau_of_Economic_Analysis

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) is an American non-profit research institution based in Seattle, Washington, with a branch office in Washington, D.C. NBR brings together specialists, poli…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Bureau_of_Asian_Resea…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) is an American private nonprofit research organization "committed to undertaking and disseminating unbiased economic research among public policymakers,…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Bureau_of_Economic_Re…

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 5: “In New York City, former Mayor Bill de Blasio removed the gifted test”

CORROBORATED

Multiple independent news sources (Yahoo, other web results) explicitly state that Mayor Bill de Blasio ended New York City's 'Gifted and Talented' program to address racial divides.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — An election for the mayor of New York City occurred on November 5, 2013, along with elections for comptroller, public advocate, borough president, and members of the New York City Council. The incumbe…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2013_New_York_City_mayoral_ele…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — An election for the mayor of New York City was held on November 4, 2025. Democratic state assemblyman Zohran Mamdani won the election with 50.78% of the vote, defeating Republican activist Curtis Sliw…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_New_York_City_mayoral_ele…

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — The mayor of New York City, officially mayor of the City of New York, is head of the executive branch of the government of New York City and the chief executive of New York City. The mayor's office ad…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayor_of_New_York_City

+ 3 more evidence sources

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Claim 6: “John Stossel is the author of “Government Gone Wild: Exposing the Truth Behind the Headlines.””

CORROBORATED

Multiple sources, including John Stossel's own platform and other web results, confirm he is the author of 'Government Gone Wild: Exposing the Truth Behind the Headlines'.

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — "A Rape on Campus" is a retracted, defamatory Rolling Stone magazine article written by Sabrina Erdely and originally published on November 19, 2014, that describes a purported group sexual assault at…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Rape_on_Campus

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Llewellyn Harrison Rockwell Jr. (born July 1, 1944) is an American author, editor, and political consultant. A libertarian and a self-professed anarcho-capitalist, he founded and is the chairman of th…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lew_Rockwell

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wikipedia NEUTRAL — Peter Andreas Thiel ( ; born 11 October 1967) is a German-American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and conservative political activist. A co-founder of PayPal, Palantir Technologies, and Founders Fu…
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Thiel

+ 3 more evidence sources

info Disclaimer: This analysis is generated by AI and should be used as a starting point for critical thinking, not as definitive truth. Claims are verified against publicly available sources. Always consult the original article and additional sources for complete context.