Long Island Parents Rally Against Common Core Tests

Parents joined educators and students from across Long Island in protest of Common Core testing. Protesters are angered that New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle is in favor of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state budget which includes common core testing. Hundreds of protesters stood in from of Sen. LaValle’s office on North Country Road in Mount Sinai.

Protesters could be heard saying “Ken LaValle you let us down” and “Ken LaValle you let the students down.” Protesters held up signs as passing motorists honked in favor of the protests. One sign read “Support is a two-way street, You lost ours.”

President of the Port Jefferson Station Parents and Teachers Association (PJSPTA) Beth Dimino said” We are hear to tell Senator LaValle that we are very disappointed that he decided to vote for the New York State budget which included common core.” Protesters were also joined by students and local taxpayers unhappy with Common Core Testing and New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle.

According to Anti-testing advocates more than 82,000 students declined to take exams last week on Long Island alone. Students and parents decided to “opt out” of the controversial testing being given statewide. Beginning on Wednesday, students in third through eight grade are to take the math tests under common core.