Contact: Emily Palumbos, (315) 781-2030
In the fall, members of the Assembly Minority Conference engaged parents, students, teachers, administrators and concerned community members about the shortcomings of the implementation of the Common Core Standards. After an 11-stop tour throughout the state, we compiled a number of reforms to the state's education system aimed at protecting students and teachers alike. Educating our children is one of the most critical missions we are tasked with, and in order to do so effectively we must ensure a timely, cost-effective and appropriate implementation of Common Core.
'APPLE PLAN' CALLS FOR REFORMS THAT MAKE SENSE FOR STUDENTS
Many of the guests at our forums expressed serious concerns about student anxiety, data-mining and funding. As a result, we have developed the Achieving Pupil Preparedness & Launching Excellence (APPLE) Plan. We heard a number of complaints repeated at each forum we hosted, regardless of geography or a district's financial health. Proposed solutions within the APPLE Plan include:
- Stopping the rushed implementation of the Common Core State Standards,
- Providing funding for professional development,
- Eliminating the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) to help school districts become fiscally stable,
- Reducing the over-reliance on student testing,
- Reasserting that an Individualized Education Program is the supreme document for the education of a child with special needs, and
- Requiring that parents must consent to any disclosure of student information to a third party.
A copy of the report is available at http://www.scribd.com/doc/201479293/At-the-Educational-Crossroads.
In his Executive Budget proposal, Governor Cuomo announced his intention to enlist a panel to review the Common Core Standards and recommend potential reforms. It's a laudable goal, but the time for talk is over. The time for action is now. Our APPLE Plan will result in effective, necessary and immediate reforms - New York students should not be asked to wait any longer.
What do you think? I want to hear from you. Send me your feedback, suggestions and ideas regarding this or any other issue facing New York State. You can always contact my district office at (315) 781-2030 or email me at kolbb@assembly.state.ny.us.