Common Core is a set of nationally developed standards adopted by 45 states and the District of Columbia, designed to align grade level cirricula across the states. It was adopted in New York, in part, to secure Race to the Top federal education funding. On Wednesday evening, state Commissioner of Education John King was in Plattsburgh, accompanied by Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch, for a panel discussion on Common Core.
The standardization, testing methods and other aspects of Common Core are being roundly criticized by teachers, parents and students as Education Commissioner John King conducts a listening tour of the state to promote Common Core. During the Mountain Lake PBS forum, Commissioner John King repeatedly shone a positive light on the standards.
Although the studio was filled with invited guests, they did not necessarily support Common Core and posed pointed questions to New York’s education leaders.
Due to the size of the studio, only 100 invited guests were inside for the taping. But a small group of protesters stood outside the building holding signs and chanting as the commissioner and chancellor arrived.
The commissioner and chancellor met with local reporters following the forum. Despite being criticism that the Common Core forces teaching to the test, Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch says it actually provides the opportunity to move away from that.
Commissioner King feels the most common misconception is that Common Core results in more tests.
The forum will be broadcast by Mountain Lake PBS Thursday and Friday evening and will be posted on the station’swebsite later this week.
