Gov. Andrew Cuomo is calling the education reforms he was able to get into the just-passed state budget part of an ever-evolving process.
In an interview with The Capitol Pressroom, the Democratic governor says change can be traumatic, but it is necessary. Cuomo was able to convince lawmakers to change the teacher evaluation system, putting more emphasis on testing rather than classroom observations.
"The only standard metric is going to be the test. The other side, the classroom observations, are going to be different in each classroom," he told host Susan Arbetter.
Education reforms in the budget, which was completed by the legislature last night, also include making the process for a teacher to earn tenure more difficult. The governor says the new reforms will help improve schools statewide.
"When we get there, and the system is evolving there’s no doubt about that, don’t underestimate the ability to compare school districts across the state, rich and poor, etcetera," said Cuomo.
Some Democrats in Legislature scoffed at the reforms. Education issues were a hot-button issue during budget negotiations, drawing near-constant protests and ad campaigns from teachers’ unions and education reform advocates.
Listen to The Capitol Pressroom weekday evenings at 8 on WRVO Public Media.