LUPINACCI CONTINUES TO STAND WITH TEACHERS AND STUDENTS

With the commencement of the school year upon us, teachers and students will be returning to their classrooms beneath an overcast of uncertainty and controversy as a result of Governor Cuomo’s high-stakes testing and Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR). September, a month typically associated with renewed enthusiasm for education, is now consumed by unrest as parents, teachers and students continue to reject the reforms which have systematically altered New York State’s education system.
On Long Island and throughout New York State, thousands of parents continue to “opt-out” of Common Core testing, just as educators remain steadfast in their opposition to the new curricula. As the Assemblyman for the 10th District, it is my duty to stand with our public school students, parents and teachers. Therefore, I renew my call to reform Common Core standards and pass legislation which encourages student growth through teaching, not testing.
This year, it is crucial that the Board of Regents and our local school districts work together to establish a comprehensive compromise which reduces the burden of testing on both our students and our devoted teachers. Through continued conversation and open dialogue, we can finally find a better solution than the disastrous reforms of the Education Opportunity Agenda.

When session re-convenes, I will once again stand united with our teachers, parents and students to return control of education to our local school districts. As an educator and former school board member, it is a necessity that we reevaluate Common Core and APPR standards in order to find the most fair means of evaluation for our students and educators.
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