"It is truly disturbing to see the misleading claims coming from the Assembly Majority Conference regarding Common Core testing. New York's students, parents and teachers should be aware - Common Core tests are not being delayed for children in grades 3 through 8. They will be given once again in April," said Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square), ranking minority member of the Assembly Committee on Education. "Assembly Minority members proposed a moratorium on the upcoming tests because this seriously-flawed program needs comprehensive reform.
However, the Majority blocked that measure, and as a result another round of Common Core tests will be given in a few short weeks. As the April tests approach, we have still failed to remedy student and teacher anxieties, flawed curriculum and the challenges these tests impose on children with special needs.
Assembly Minority members will continue to fight for real reforms that address the foundational problems with Common Core. Our children and parents deserve nothing less than a full commitment to fixing every aspect of this broken program. But most importantly, they deserve the truth."
"This battle is anything but over," said Assemblyman Al Graf (R,C,I-Holbrook), a member of the Assembly Committee on Education. "I believe that though the Majority won the vote to continue Common Core today, this issue will come up again. It was a sad day in Albany. It was a day when the Majority Conference told the children of New York State that they do not matter. It was a day when the Majority told the mothers, fathers, grandparents, educators, and many others who have spoken loudly and clearly for the last six months, that they do not have to, nor will they, listen to you. Politics over children is the theme that ruled the day in the Assembly Chamber. I encourage everyone to increase their efforts to get the governor to step up and do the right thing. Go to fixnyschools.com and sign the petition. Don't give up. Keep up the fight for our children. As for me, I will not go quietly into the night. I will not back down. I will continue to fight for our children."