ONEONTA, 10/16/13 -- State Senator James L. Seward (R/C/I – Oneonta) today commented on New York State Education Commissioner Dr. John King’s decision to cancel public forums on the implementation of the ‘Common Core’ learning platform and new state testing assessments:

“Commissioner King should immediately reverse his decision and reschedule public meetings across the state to gather comment and solicit opinion on the state’s roll out of the Common Core standards.

“The commissioner’s cancellation of the planned events, citing the influence of ‘special interests,’ is an insult to parents, teachers, students and administrators who are working through the sea change in modern curricula, and testing. They wish to offer honest insights into the effects of Common Core and assessments on students and local districts – the commissioner should want to hear from them.

“Every year, state legislators meet with constituents across our districts to hear the views of those who elected us. Commissioner King should meet with his constituency as well – the taxpayers of the state who have valid concerns about our educational preparation and testing trajectory and who foot the bill for our salaries and for the cost of educating our students.”

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