As you are reading this, many of New York’s children have just taken the high-stakes tests connected with the Common Core standards. Our educational landscape has become the unlikely battleground of democracy and personal rights. In the end, the cause is worthy; a sound public-education system for our children is one of the most important […]
As you are reading this, many of New York’s children have just taken the high-stakes tests connected with the Common Core standards. Our educational landscape has become the unlikely battleground of democracy and personal rights. In the end, the cause is worthy; a sound public-education system for our children is one of the most important responsibilities of the state and our society.
New York’s implementation of the Common Core standards was flawed and destined to create more challenges and struggles than the ones it was meant to resolve. The failure on the part of the New York State Education Department (NYSED) to engage affected and interested parties during the development of the curriculum was the catalyst that caused the issues we are currently facing — stressed children, frustrated parents, undervalued educators, and school administrative systems that are trying to keep all the parts together for the sake of our kids.
Common Core’s failure is the fault of the state, not our students, parents, teachers, or administrators. Our educational system, led by faceless bureaucrats who make up the Board of Regents and the NYSED, refused to listen to the people. Simply put, New York’s educational system needs reform and transparency.
I commend the many parents, teachers, administrators, and students who have been advocating for reform. From opting out of testing for your own children to contacting the governor and other elected officials, you have been doing your part, raising your voices for change.
I too have taken steps toward reform. I first held a hearing when former NYSED Commissioner John King refused to listen to you. As a result of 14 hearings held throughout the state, my Republican Assembly colleagues and I crafted an educational reform package known as the Achieving Pupil Preparedness and Launching Excellence (APPLE) Plan. The APPLE Plan would engage our teachers, parents, and administrators; ensure fairer funding for upstate schools, especially those in rural areas; and put an end to stressful Common Core testing. In addition to the APPLE Plan, I have also signed on to legislation that re-enforces a parent’s right to opt their child out of Common Core testing and prohibits the schools, teachers, and children from being punitively affected by their choice to refuse the tests.
I firmly believe in having rigorous educational standards for our children, but they must be developmentally appropriate for each child and be flexible enough to accommodate children with developmental challenges. I believe each child deserves an education tailored to their gifts and skills.
Marc W. Butler (R,C,I–Newport) is a New York State Assemblyman for the 118th District, which encompasses parts of Oneida, Herkimer, and St. Lawrence counties, as well as all of Hamilton and Fulton counties. Contact him at butlerm@assembly.state.ny.us