Gov. Andrew Cuomo is trying to address the controversy over the use of Common Core standards in the state's public schools. Thursday he made his strongest comments on the teaching guidelines yet.
In a written statement, Cuomo says that the current Common Core program in New York state is not working. He said the time has come for a comprehensive review of the implementation of the standards, and of the curriculum, guidance and tests that go along with it. Cuomo said he will ask an education commission made up of state Education Commissioner MaryEllen Elia, teachers, parents, experts and representatives of the legislature to make recommendations by his State of the State address in January.
While the governor says the implementation of Common Core has been flawed and problematic, he also emphasized that he does believe in having educational standards for New York's students, and that he agrees with the goals of Common Core.
New York was among the first states to agree to use Common Core standards, because federal funding came along with it. But the curriculum’s roll out and the application of Common Core to the state's annual standardized tests have been highly criticized by some parents and educators.
The anti-Common Core sentiment has gained momentum as the number of parents who opted out their students from this spring's tests increased greatly over last year. And now the opt-out movement has encouraged parents the send their kids to the first day of school with a letter saying they will choose to skip the exams again this year.
