NY’s Astorino bans his kids from Common Core testing
New York gubernatorial potential Republican Rob Astorino has publicly announced that his children will not take state assessment tests beginning today that are based on Common Core requirements. Astorino is currently a Westchester County executive and has three children.
In a public statement, Astorino said that his family’s protest is “symbolic” and one that he is participating in as a parent to “take a stand.”
Astorino’s protest is reflective of a growing number of parents who vocally oppose the Common Core standards that were developed to better prepare students for college and careers. A somewhat Conservatively-skewed group of parents have lashed out across the country, and even taken to social media to criticize the new standards.
In New York, around 1.2 million students in grades 3 to 8 will take the state tests that are reflective of new Common Core standards.
In response to his protest, State Board of Regents Chancellor Merryl Tisch criticized Astorino’s stance saying that such actions are contributing to the decline of the education system in New York. Common Core was developed by the Governor’s Alliance and Astorino took his moment in the spotlight to emphasize his perceived problems with current democratic NY Governor Andrew Cuomo.
“From what we have seen so far, Cuomo’s Common Core may be damaging their (the kids) education, not helping it,” said Astorino.
Back in February, Astorino blasted New York legislators for not agreeing to a two-year moratorium on Common Core implementation. Democratic Senators like Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Tim Kennedy said his outburst reflected a severe lack of knowledge in state politics.
Astorino announced his own gubernatorial aspirations on March 5.
As a fellow conservative, I’m unsure what this candidate has against the Common Core. Even highly conservative Christian education publishers, A Beka and BJU press, states that their curriculum meets and often exceeds the standards set out in the Common Core. Another Christian and highly conservative organization, the Association of Christian Schools International, had an article out recently that stated the Common Core was nothing to be scared of.
Conservative values can still be taught even with the Common Core. What’s the big deal? It just replaces previous standardized tests. . .
I’ll tell you what’s wrong with the common core!! It’s mandated by the federal government! If states don’t do the testing, then they lose federal dollars. It’s yet another way that the federal government is sticking its nose where it doesn’t belong. . .
The federal government played no role in developing the Common Core and does not mandate its use. In fact, the Common Core was and will continue to be state led. Each state will work to ensure the Common Core standards are taught in their state. The federal government doesn’t mandate anything!!!
How disappointing. A candidate for Governor that has announced that he will not comply with state requirements. From the outside looking in, it would appear to give a reason not to vote for this candidate. This is a misguided embarrassment, not a symbolic moral stand.
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tnx.