On again, off again: New York’s "Common Core" meetings have been rescheduled after State Education Commissioner John King was severely criticized for canceling the events after he encountered a hostile crowd of parents and teachers at a Poughkeepsie forum. Many believe the curriculum was rolled out too quickly with little preparation for educators, students and parents. A large turnout is expected tonight at Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School in Albany. The forum will be moderated by Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy. Capital Region Bureau Chief Dave Lucas has a preview with the Assemblywoman.
Albany Police warning that traffic along Whitehall Road may be heavy before and after the event. Here is the "official" advisory:
State Ed to hold community forum today at Myers
ALBANY, N.Y. (Oct. 24, 2013) -- New York State Education Commissioner John King will hold a community forum on the Common Core and Regents Reform Agenda from 4 to 7 p.m. today at Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School, located at 100 Elbel Court off Whitehall Road.
Because Myers dismisses students at 3 p.m., the school's parking lot will not be open until 3:15 p.m. so buses can leave without disruption. Myers' parking areas holds approximately 120 vehicles, and once they are full parking will be available in the surrounding neighborhoods. Parking will NOT be available at Albany School of Humanities, which has a separate event going on there tonight. However, parking will be available in the surrounding neighborhoods and the Albany Police Department will be on hand to manage traffic.
Please consider carpooling wherever possible.
The forum will be held in the auditorium. Overflow seating will be available in the gym with a remote broadcast. If the auditorium and gym reach capacity of 1,350, admission will be closed.
The State Education Department and Assemblymember Pat Fahy's office are handling arrangements for the structure of the forum. The League of Women Voters will participate as moderators.
In light of the commissioner's forum, the City School District of Albany postponed a similar forum that had been planned for Tuesday night at Albany High School. The district's forum on state testing, Common Core, teacher and principal evaluations and legislative advocacy will be held in November.
