Long Island has some of the best public schools in the nation. That’s a big reason why many residents choose to raise their families here. Free public education for all is mandated in Article XI Section 1 of The Constitution of the State of New York, “…The legislature shall provide for the maintenance and support of a system of free common schools, wherein all the children of this state may be educated.” However, inequality in the formula for the distribution of NYS financial aid and the recent focus on excessive Common Core testing is putting the quality of Long Island’s public school education at risk.
First, the formula for NYS education funding is antiquated, and does not account for changing enrollments, leaving several school districts at a disadvantage. For example, Westbury and Port Washington school districts have had substantial spikes in enrollment, without the resources to properly accommodate the influx of students. With the tax cap again being close to zero for the coming school year, NYS ought to be guaranteeing a stable flow of resources so school districts are able to conduct long term planning. Long Island has 17% of the students in NYS, yet receives only 12% of the funding. As a result, Long Island’s public schools are being shortchanged, making it nearly impossible to maintain quality in education.
Second, reliance on Common Core testing is wreaking havoc in school districts all across Long Island. The aggressive focus on test scores forces teachers to put more class time and resources into testing and prep, and stifles opportunities for the creativity and individuation we have come to appreciate from our master teachers. The pressure on educators to have their students do well on these exams is palpable, leaving many students feeling this sense of added pressure. Is it any wonder parents are frustrated?
All of this has led to an “Opt Out” movement, which is gaining momentum, and has created a groundswell of parental involvement. Currently, Long Island is leading the fight in New York against this high-stakes testing with around 50% of students opting out against the latest Common Core exams. In response, US Education Secretary John King wants to “punish” school districts that have more than 5% of students opting out. Threats of punishment ultimately mean a loss of funding. This would impose federal control on state public education, something I am strongly against.
Quality public education is a leading factor in keeping home values high and in attracting the next generation of families to our region. I am a firm believer in local control of public education. Legislators need to provide a consistent and secure revenue source that will enable school administrators to plan long-term, and also push to get rid of excessive Common Core testing. If we can accomplish these two things, we will be able to safeguard our children’s educational future, and protect a core value, quality public education for all.
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