Cuomo: Common Core ‘Not Working’; Legislators React
A steadfast advocate of the controversial Common Core standards, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo acknowledged the current educational program “is not working and must be fixed.”
In a 300-word press release issued Thursday, Cuomo, a Democrat, announced he would assemble a commission to review and recommend changes of the implementation of Common Core, curriculum, guidance, and tests that would address concerns locally.
“We must have standards for New York’s students, but those standards will only work if people – especially parents – have faith in them and in their ability to educate our children,” Cuomo said. “The current Common Core program does not do that.”
State legislators have heard an earful about education the past couple of years, becoming a lightning rod for debate and disagreement.
State Assemblywoman Sandy Galef said the implementation went too rapidly and shouldn’t have been started at all grade levels at once. She said she was surprised by Cuomo’s latest statement, considering his desire to see Common Core succeed in New York, but noted she was glad he’s modifying his position.
She stressed the commission should be independent.
“People are dissatisfied,” Galef said. “Everyone wants goals and they want better challenges for our kids so we can really meet the international challenges with all of the other countries in the world so we know we have a way to go. We have to have higher aspiration for our kids. The question is how do we go about doing that.”
The topic of education has been a hot topic in Galef’s district. Her office has received the most emails and letters regarding education in New York, compared to any other issue in the state.
“This year was incredible with how many people were engaged in the issue,” Galef said.
Republican lawmakers were quick to jump on Cuomo’s admission about problems with Common Core, which led to a record number of opt-outs of last year’s state test for grade 3-8.
Republican state Senator Terrence Murphy said in a press release after opting his own children of the state tests two consecutive years that he’s “ecstatic that the Governor now acknowledges the challenges parents across New York have been facing.”
Murphy ran on the Stop Common Core line, but faced the ire of teachers and parents for voting for the education agenda as part of last year’s budget. He said he looks forward to working with Cuomo and all education stakeholders across the state.
“The test questions were not grade appropriate, the system did not take into account a child’s learning disability, and our educators were forced to teach to a flawed test,” Murphy stated.
Republican state Assemblyman Steve Katz called Cuomo’s decision to authorize a comprehensive review “long overdue.”
“For the past two years, members of the Assembly Minority Conference and I have called for a halt to implementation while the curriculum can be reviewed,” Katz said. “I encourage Gov. Cuomo to follow our lead and implement an end to Common Core until the review is finished.”
While the statement did send shockwaves and give a sense of vindication to Common Core critics, Cuomo has criticized the rollout of the new standards in the past. He did reiterate his position that he still agrees with the goals of Common Core. He noted the new commissioner, MaryEllen Elia inherited the problem facing the program, but has been meeting with parents, teachers, and administrators and heard similar concerns.
The commission will include Elia, education experts, teachers, parents, and legislative representatives, which will in turn provide recommendations in time for Cuomo’s State of the State address in January.
“I am taking this action not because I don’t believe in standards, but because I do,” Cuomo stated.
