Cuomo: “I know the situation is critical”
ALBANY – Governor Andrew Cuomo announced creation of a Common Core Task Force to review and make recommendations to overhaul the current system and the way students are tested. The recommendations will be due by the end of the year.
“This country is in the midst of an education revolution, as is this state,” the governor said on Monday. He said he has spoken to parents, educators, and administrators from across the state. “I know the situation is critical – I have heard the message clearly: we must take action and we must take action now to fix our schools. And we will.”
The governor charged the Task Force to:
Review and reform the Common Core State Standards;
Review New York State’s curriculum guidance and resources;
Develop a process to ensure tests fit curricula and standards;
Examine the impact of the current moratorium on recording Common Core test scores on student records, and make a recommendation as to whether it should be extended;
Examine how the State and local districts can reduce both the quantity and duration of student tests, and develop a plan whereby districts include parents in reviewing local tests being administered to analyze those tests’ purpose and usefulness;
Review the quality of the tests to ensure competence and professionalism from the private company creating and supplying the tests.
Port Jervis Mayor Kelly Decker is also a seventh grade social studies teacher in Port Jervis and a parent. He said parents and teachers have stressed concern over Common Core standards and formation of the task force is a positive step in listening to their needs.
“There was a quick implementation of the Common Core, which didn’t leave any time for review, didn’t leave time input from both educators and administrators and they were quick in rushing it out,” Decker said. “Now the governor is stepping back and saying we really need to review this and take the right steps and make sure it works for everybody.”
Middletown Mayor Joseph DeStefano believes the implementation by the state Education Department “has been deeply flawed. The more time goes on, the more I am convinced of this position.” DeStefano said New York students “deserve a fair and accurate assessment of their performance, and the truth is that the Common Core is in much need of a restart.”
Yonkers Mayor Michael Spano and School Board President Dr. Nader Sayech both said they support the governor’s review.
Cuomo is “taking an important and concrete step” to address the concerns of parents and teachers, they said. “This is about giving every student the education they deserve, and we encourage the task force members to undertake an exhaustive and comprehensive review of the Common Core in order to help us ensure that our students are receiving the best education possible.”
Sullivan County Legislature Chairman Scott Samuelson said the state “must have strong learning standards that educate all of our students and help them tap into their full potential – however, those standards must also be sensibly implemented and should not cause undue anxiety to students, parents and educators.” Samuelson said the task force “has the opportunity to ensure that this balance is met in New York State.”
Orange County Executive Steven Neuhaus called Common Core “an unnecessary
source of apprehension for students, parents and teachers.” He said
the community “needs to be focused on ensuring education can be
a process of learning and not just a set of rigid teaching standards.”
Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro applauded the governor’s creation
of the task force. It has “a tremendous opportunity to ensure New
York has a world-class education system, and I look forward to reviewing
their recommendations,” the county executive said.
Ulster County Executive Michael Hein said the formation of the task force
“means real opportunity for change and the potential to address concerns
from parents and teachers alike.”
