Parents Cautiously Optimistic After NY State Task Force Recommends Common Core Changes
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- A state task force has issued recommendations that would transform the very controversial Common Core standards in New York State.
Parents who fought vehemently against Common Core are cautiously optimistic after Gov. Andrew Cuomo's task force recommended sweeping changes, CBS2's Carolyn Gusoff reported.
"The fight is not over. This is not a time to opt back in, no," said Lindenhurst parent Tory Vine. "While this is a great move, a step in the right direction, the recommendations actually have to be implemented."
The 21 recommendations include:
- Overhauling the standards with new locally-driven, state specific standards.
- Reducing over-testing.
- Using educators, not a corporation, to create tests.
- And imposing a four-year moratorium on counting Common Core tests in teacher evaluations.
The standards -- assailed as rushed and flawed -- spawned a torrent of protests and a statewide opt-out movement. At its epicenter: Long Island, where 200,000 kids boycotted the tests.
"I don't think I've seen a grassroots effort like this in 50 years," said Dr. Steven Cohen, Superintendent of Shoreham-Wading River School District.
The task force made up of parents, educators, and lawmakers, held public forums and got an earful -- a confusing curriculum causing frustrations in classrooms and at kitchen tables.
Even if they're implemented, the recommendations won't change anything immediately, Gusoff reported.
"The tests are not going to mean anything, so why are they even taking them?" said Karen Shanley, of Lindenhurst.
"What are you doing to fix the damage that's been done already to these children? What happens to the class of 2017 that's been treated like guinea pigs," said Rocky Point parent Kathi Heggers.
Now, it's up to the state Board of Regents to adopt or reject the task force's recommendations. If adopted, it's essentially back to the drawing board, drafting educational standards for the state.
Gov. Cuomo's office also insists that if the recommendations are adopted, no state laws will have to be changed.
