Mamdani's education plan's 'lack of merit' could fundamentally change student outcomes: GOP leader warns

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. ©2026 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Market data provided by Factset. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Legal Statement. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by LSEG. New York Young Republican President Stefano Forte said New York City Mayor Zohran Mandani’s plan will phase out gifted programs and limit opportunities for high-achieving students. NEW YORK, N.Y. — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s education agenda might be the most concerning of his administration and would have a damaging impact, a local GOP leader told Fox News Digital, arguing that schools will be shifting away from merit-based achievement under Mamdani's tenure. Mamdani has proposed phasing out the city’s gifted and talented programs for younger students over inequity concerns, a move critics argue could limit academic opportunities for high performers from low-income families. "That's my biggest concern," Forte told Fox News Digital. "The lack of merit and the lack of competitiveness…is going to lead to test scores declining and the quality