'Common Core' should be 'No More'

‘COMMON CORE’ SHOULD BE ‘NO MORE’

An op-ed by Tom Gargiulo, candidate for state Assembly on May 23

My experiences as a special education teacher helped me to inspire students to overcome adversity and shoot for the stars. As a coach, I’ve built a culture of teamwork and high expectations that can be applied to other areas of their lives. Whether it was teaching in the classroom or coaching on the field, I’ve learned that life is about the opportunity to make a difference.

Over the years, I’ve worked tirelessly to create change and make a positive impact on those around me. It’s been my goal to improve the lives of children and stand up for them when they need their voices heard.

My firm stance on the disgraceful Common Core curriculum has been my leading concern for students in recent times. When I saw so many students struggle with Common Core, I knew I had to take action.

This impractical testing system only works with the assumption that all students possess the same educational abilities. Students with developmental disabilities would be required to take the same tests as those with the best grades in the class. My work as a special education teacher revealed the massive stress caused by these tests. My students knew they couldn’t pass tests, but were still forced to take the exams nonetheless.

Gov. Cuomo and Assembly Democrats forced this flawed curriculum on our students, teachers and parents. Worse, the rushed implementation and lack of direction from state education leaders created a nightmare in our schools. Albany has had enough time to get it right, but continues to fail us and it’s time we repeal Common Core for good.

The Common Core curriculum is a disaster and I’ve made it my personal mission to put an end to it. I believe that parents should have a say in their child’s education. Students shouldn’t be backed into a corner and forced to take tests if their parents don’t want them to. Parents should have an option to exclude their children from taking these tests and opt-out of the curriculum.

I’m running for the state Assembly because I have a plan to improve life for students in New York State. I will first fight to repeal Common Core and restore control to our local schools. I will also eliminate state requirements and give parents the choice to opt their children out of pointless standardized testing. I will then warrant equity for special education students and classrooms. I believe that my background and my plan to develop our education system make me an excellent candidate for the 9th Assembly District.

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