Some 75 people took part in a public forum Thursday on the implementation of the Common Core Standards in NY public schools, hosted by Rockland lawmakers state Sen. David Carlucci, Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski, Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee, and Assemblyman James Skoufis.
More than 75 people took part in a public forum Thursday on the implementation of the “Common Core” in public schools, hosted by Rockland lawmakers state Sen. David Carlucci, Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski, Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee, and Assemblyman James Skoufis at Rockland Community College.
Rockland representatives have heard the cry of concern among constituents about the Common Core Standards, with Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski calling the implementation by NY state of the standards as “incredibly flawed and rushed.” Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee called for a two year moratorium on the program’s rollout.
“Common Core has obviously and understandably been a hot-button issue in our community. Hosting this forum allowed the people that it affects most to express their issues and concerns directly to their legislators,” said Zebrowski, D-New City. “I think that everyone is in agreement that the implementation of these standards has been incredibly flawed and rushed.”
“I have serious reservations . . . about the proposed storage, use and disclosure of personally identifiable student data and SED’s ability to ensure protection of the data,” said Jaffee, D-Suffern, about the Common Core Standards, while specifically referencing the inBloom program. “That’s why I will continue to advocate for a moratorium for a minimum of two years of the implementation of the Common Core standards, test based assessments and sharing sensitive student data,” Jaffee said.
Many participants in Thursday’s Common Core Forum raised concerns over rushed implementation managed by the state Board of Regents. Participants ranged from various PTA members, to worried parents. The forum consisted of each elected official briefly expressing their views before hearing suggestions and concerns from parents, educators, and administrators. Although the forum was mostly utilized as a tool for listening, legislators also responded to some questions and points raised by participants.
“I want to thank all of our speakers for coming out last night and voicing their concern on the implementation of Common Core,” said Carlucci, D-New City. “This week my colleagues and I in the State Legislature called on the Board of Regents to delay the use of Common Core tests for high stakes decisions for at least two years unless they can alleviate concerns from parents and educators.”
Carlucci also noted he has sponsored legislation that targets third party vendors like inBloom. Specifically the legislation defines what student data should be and gives out stiff penalties to companies that misuse this personal information.”
“I look forward to working together to make sure we address everyone’s concerns heard last night,” Carlucci said.
“As demonstrated by the turnout and comments we heard, there are still too many questions and concerns with the curriculum’s rollout that must first be addressed before moving forward. I will continue pushing for a moratorium on Common Core while working towards significant changes in its implementation,” said Assemblyman Skoufis.
“The Common Core Forum was an important opportunity to share mutual concerns, to listen to the many parents and educators, who were extremely vocal and passionate in expressing their frustration with the rushed implementation of the Common Core standards, the test-based assessment and its impact on students and teachers,” said Jaffee, D-Suffern.
“I believe that at the minimum a two year moratorium is essential and that the SED should work collaboratively with educators and school districts in developing their own curricula aligned with the Common Core,” Assemblywoman Jaffee remarked.
“I will continue to speak out on these issues and to support the NYS Educational Conference Board’s Five-Point Action Plan, which addresses the need to refocus the Common Core on student learning and instruction and does not impose excessive testing,” added Jaffee.
Additional video footage of Rockland County’s Common Core Forum can be viewed here. The video features the Q&A portion of the evening, with parents and residents addressing lawmakers about Common Core concerns. The video was produced by the Rockland Republican Women’s Leadership Council.
