McManmon calls for East End meeting with education commissioner, end to high-stakes testing

Democratic assembly candidate John McManmon is calling for “a comprehensive reassessment” of the common core curriculum in New York State, and for community meetings on the East End to discuss its “flawed implementation.”

“Parents are rightfully concerned about how the common core affects their children’s education,” McManmon said. “I am profoundly disappointed that community meetings to discuss this issue were canceled simply because state officials faced criticism. The quality of our children’s education is essential to their success in a global economy. Parents and teachers deserve to be heard on this issue.”

The common core, officially known as the Common Core State Standards Initiative, seeks to coordinate diverse state curricula through adoption of common education standards. The controversial initiative has been adopted by 48 states, including New York.

“Implementation of the common core in New York has been deeply flawed,” said McManmon.

“We must dramatically reduce high-stakes testing, which is particularly inappropriate for younger students and their teachers. And if Albany insists on mandating major curricular reform from the top-down, Albany also must provide the funding necessary to fulfill these mandates. Unfunded education mandates are hurting our children, our teachers and our property taxpayers.”

While the State Education Department has announced it will release a revised schedule of community meetings, including two in Suffolk County, none is planned for the East End.

“Eastern Suffolk schools are pinched between the 2 percent property tax cap and unfunded common core mandates,” McManmon said. “Commissioner King should hold at least one public meeting on Eastern Long Island. Here he will receive an excellent education in the difficult issues facing Eastern Long Island parents and teachers.”