ALBANY, N.Y. February 7, 2014 - New York State United Teachers responded today to the appointment of a gubernatorial panel that will recommend corrective steps to address the failed implementation of the Common Core and urged swift action.
Since comprehensive legislative hearings and State Education Department forums already produced a clear record of what went wrong - and there is legislative agreement on the need for delay and other steps necessary to put the implementation plan back on track - NYSUT said the panel should be able to move quickly and deliver its recommendations before state standardized tests begin in April.
"While we would have preferred greater representation by parents and educators, this panel contains some excellent choices," said NYSUT President Richard C. Iannuzzi. "Time is of the essence. The panel must work swiftly to respond to parents, teachers and school leaders who are committed to high standards and accountability but are frustrated and angry."
"The state's over-reliance on standardized testing and data - and rush to test students before teachers had a chance to deliver instruction, and before all the appropriate curriculum materials were provided - undermines whatever potential new standards may have to improve student achievement," he added. "A moratorium on the high-stakes consequences for students and teachers from standardized testing will provide time needed for the Board of Regents, State Education Department and school districts to make the necessary course corrections and provide additional support to students and educators to get us back to teaching and learning, and not testing and more testing."
New York State United Teachers is a statewide union with more than 600,000 members in education, human services and health care. NYSUT is affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.