“We are not getting rid of gifted schools,” he said. (While the SHSAT is enshrined in state law, the governor doesn’t directly control the schools or gifted and talented programs.) The Blakeman spokesperson did not respond to a follow-up question pointing that out. Asked for comment on Hochul’s position on gifted and talented programs and the SHSAT, the governor’s office didn’t go into specifics. “Governor Hochul believes all New York students deserve access to a quality education,” a spokesperson said in a statement.