New York City

OPINION: Assemblyman Colton: Reforms to Common Core will benefit our children and educators

March 31, 2014 By William Colton For Brooklyn Daily Eagle
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Providing our children with a top-notch education is the most important step we can take in ensuring a promising, successful future for them. Unfortunately, the flawed implementation of Common Core is hurting efforts to educate our kids. Students, parents and educators alike have been burdened by frustration and unneeded stress and anxiety. I raised the issue of the flawed implementation of the new Common Core Curriculum at the State Legislature’s Joint Budget Hearing on Elementary and Secondary Education on January 28, 2014 in Albany. Responding directly to the concerns of parents, educators and students, I helped pass legislation that makes reforms to Common Core implementation to help get it back on track (A.8929).  
 
Young children should not be unnecessarily burdened with excessive testing. During their formative early education years, they are already faced with the task of adjusting to a structured school environment and developing essential learning skills. They shouldn’t have to take numerous high-stakes tests that cause intense pressure and anxiety. The Assembly’s legislation requires the state education commissioner to reduce the number of field tests administered to students in third to eighth grade. It also calls for an accelerated review of teacher evaluation system plans so unnecessary testing can be eliminated. Further, the reform would prohibit certain standardized testing for pre-kindergarten through second grade. Our children’s education should be focused on gaining knowledge and progress, not solely on testing. 

Also with this reform, our educators would be equipped with the necessary tools and materials to adequately teach the Common Core learning standards. We need to make sure that our educators are properly and adequately trained, so they have the skills they need to teach this new curriculum. At the Jan. 28 Budget Hearing, I called on the State Education Department to provide extra help to districts in order to ensure the proper and successful implementation of the new Common Core curriculum. Specifically, I advocated for an increase in support monies for teacher training centers and professional development for educators.

 
As a former public school teacher and UFT chapter leader, I know from experience that standardized tests rarely tell the whole story. That’s because these tests don’t necessarily accurately reflect a student’s skills or understanding. Our reforms to the Common Core prohibit the use of test scores from third to eighth grade as the sole or primary factor in determining student promotion or placement decisions. These exam results would also be barred from being included on a student’s permanent record. Our children need a positive learning environment, not unnecessary pressure due to overtesting.
 
Every student deserves equal attention during their learning experience. The Assembly’s legislation also requires the state education commissioner to evaluate and report on how Common Core is impacting students with disabilities, English language learners and students with limited English proficiency. The commissioner would also have to investigate whether school districts are following the appropriate testing accommodations for students with disabilities. 

Over the past year, many educators, community members and stakeholders have raised concerns about potential flaws in the Education Department’s plans to share sensitive student data with third-party vendors like inBloom Inc. These concerns relate to the protection of student data from security breaches and the potential for the student data to be inappropriately used for commercial purposes. I raised these concerns about the sharing and appropriate use of student data at the Budget Hearing on Jan. 28 in Albany.

Our reform legislation addresses this concern of data sharing and student privacy. Sensitive student data must be cautiously safeguarded. The Assembly’s legislation calls for a two-year delay in supplying certain third-party vendors with student data. It also gives parents the opportunity to opt out of disclosing students’ information. And in the case of a security breach, the reforms require vendors to have a breach remediation plan prepared and to immediately notify schools or the state Education Department. We need to protect the privacy of our students and ensure that any information about them is being used for valid educational purposes.
             
It’s now time for the New York State Senate to act on A.8929 – the Assembly’s Common Core reform bill – because its failure to do so would be failing our kids. 

We all share the same goals of improving our schools and ensuring that our students receive the education they deserve. That’s why we need to get the new Common Core curriculum implementation right. Numerous concerns, including in my own district, regarding the Common Core have been raised. I repeat what I declared to State Education Commissioner Dr. John B. King, Jr.: the train is leaving the station, but many students and parents are not on board that train. It’s only sensible that we provide adequate teaching training, protect sensitive student data, and provide a positive learning environment for our children. 

If you have any questions on this or any other issue, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at 718-236-1598 or via email at [email protected].

 
 
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