As students, teachers and school districts brace for another round of Common Core testing in April, members of the Assembly Minority Conference today reinforced the pressing need for comprehensive education reform through the "Achieving Pupil Preparedness & Launching Excellence (APPLE) Plan." In January, the Assembly Minority presented the APPLE Plan - solutions that address critical issues in the areas of Curriculum, Teacher Support, Funding, Student Anxiety, Special Education and Data Collection and concludes with two reform options recommended by members of the Assembly Minority Conference.
"The problems and issues in our educational system are not new, but the unfortunate reality is that they are not being adequately addressed," Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb said. "New York's parents, students and teachers are not looking for half-measures that ignore the root of the problem. They deserve classroom curriculum and testing programs that are fair, effective and properly thought-out. The clock is ticking and the time is now to implement real, effective reform contained in the APPLE Plan."
"Last fall I traveled around the state, speaking with parents, educators and community members about their concerns with the new Common Core Curriculum," said Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square), ranking minority member of the Assembly Education committee. "I joined with my colleagues earlier this year to unveil the APPLE plan, legislation which will address the critical issues that parents, teachers and children are facing at schools across New York. We cannot wait any longer to enact the much-needed reforms outlined in our proposal. I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass these common-sense measures that will ensure every child has access to a world-class education."
"It's time to take a meaningful step that actually deals with the fears and frustrations New York's families are experiencing because of the Common Core tests," said Assemblyman Al Graf (R,C,I-Holbrook), member of the Assembly Education Committee. "We need to enact the comprehensive, thorough reforms proposed in the APPLE Plan. Anything that falls short of that is incomplete and a disservice to the families we represent."
After holding 11 education forums across the state attended by more than 1,000 concerned parents, students, teachers and education experts, the Assembly Minority Conference released the report "At the Educational Crossroads - A Report on Education Reform Efforts in NYS." Contained within the report are recommendations of the APPLE Plan. 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),
- Reducing the over-reliance on student testing,
- Reasserting that an IEP 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.
Forums were held in Akron, Baldwinsville, Brentwood, Corning, Lowville, New Hartford, Old Westbury, Rochester, Staten Island, Troy and Wappingers Falls. The report can be viewed at bit.ly/educationalcrossroads. For additional copies of the report, please contact the Assembly Minority Office of Public Affairs at 518-455-5073.