Resistance to Common Core Standards in New York has existed since the standards were first fully implemented in 2013, and has grown steadily ever since. Central to this debate are old rivalries between federal and state’s rights, and conservative and liberal agendas.
While Republicans were first to oppose the idea of national standards, referring to it as “Obamacore,” resistance now falls squarely on both sides of the aisle. In The Politics of Common Core, an article published in U.S. News back in March, 2014, Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers was stated, “Common Core became controversial for the left when there appeared to be more of a focus on testing and gathering student data, and less of a focus on teaching.”
Politicians are not the only ones to push back. Parents, frustrated by decreases in test scores, increases in test anxiety, and restrictions on curriculum have organized, creating a movement to “Opt Out,” supporting student refusal to sit for the exams. Because teachers’ jobs have become dependent on improved test scores, regardless of circumstances, teachers are now forced to teach to the test.
As a result, students are denied an opportunity for authentic learning. Another parental concern is privacy with regard to the data generated from Common Core testing.
As a trustee on the Roslyn Board of Education, I have personally witnessed the dissent and confusion Common Core Standards have unleashed on the school community. I agree with the movement to abolish Common Core standards, and recommend reinstating local control for the following reasons:
Common Core testing takes several days. The amount of time preparing for the exams takes several more. This takes time and resources away from other disciplines that are part of a well-rounded education, and forces teachers to teach to the test.
Teaching jobs are dependent on results, regardless of other mitigating factors that drag scores down.
Tests are designed to have most students fail with currently only 31 percent of the state’s students passing reading and 38 percent passing math.
97 percent of English Language Learners (ELLs) fail the exam
It assumes all children can be taught the same material at the same speed.
Tests take months to score. The low passing rate, which can destroy a child’s self esteem, also makes the test taking a nerve racking experience.
Private interests shouldn’t control public education.
Final Thoughts
Our children aren’t profit centers to be exploited through the collection of data and the creation of tests. New York State public education should be a place where students can grow, create, thrive and wonder. When students are engaged in the testing process, they aren’t engaged in learning.
Lost in the whole discussion about Common Core is the fact that Nassau County receives a paltry share of funding for Universal Pre-K. Compared to 70 percent of New York City students, only 20 percent of local students have access to this important foundation to start a quality education.
To make a real impact, 100 percent of students in New York State should have access to Universal Pre-K.
All children, regardless of where they live, deserve an education that will give them the head start they need to succeed.
Common sense should prevail and Common Core testing should be discontinued.
At a recent education forum in Port Washington, New York State Regent Tilles summarized this argument, saying, ”Once a student fails this test they feel like a loser and this can follow them for the rest of their life.” The New York State Constitution guarantees all students the opportunity for a “sound basic education.” Forcing almost 70 percent of students to fail and feel like losers is the antithesis of this.
Local control of public education, with generous New York State funding to support it, is the best way to ensure our children’s academic future. Children aren’t standardized; nor are they “one size fits all.” Neither should Common Core testing be.
