Cuomo's Common Core

We thought you'd enjoy this letter about Cuomo's Common Core, sent recently to Education Commissioner John King by Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro.

County Executive Molinaro urged Commissioner King to reconsider Common Core standards, which have led to a "level of confusion, concern and unrest among parents and educators [that] threatens to seriously undermine confidence in our educational system."    

 Dear Commissioner King:

Over the past several months there have been numerous forums throughout Dutchess County, focused on the implementation of Common Core.  Clearly, it is an issue that has sparked great concern among the parents and educators of Dutchess County.

As County Executive and parent of two school aged children, one receiving special education programming, I have worked to educate myself on the issues surrounding Common Core. I have spoken with other parents and educators who are passionate advocates for their children. I have heard stories of teachers being overwhelmed and feeling unprepared. I have read, with concern, debates over testing regimens and the privacy of data.  And most importantly, I have heard the cries of parents whose kids of all learning levels come home from school confused and burdened by a new curriculum and standards heaped upon them seemingly overnight.

Additionally, I wonder if adequate thought has been given to the "downward pressure" Common Core places on the growing need for Early Intervention and Special Education Pre-K services - a large unfunded mandate on county governments.

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