The school year is winding down and the last of the statewide standardized tests have been given to students. Governor Cuomo says Common Core was poorly implemented in the state and it's up to those who did so - the State Education Department - to restore parents' faith in the system.
Cuomo was asked about state testing and opt-outs in various districts during an appearance in Poughkeepsie on Monday. He stated his continued support for Common Core, calling it a sound idea. But he also conceded that teachers, parents and students were ill-prepared when it was introduced in New York.
"The problem is the State Education Department, which is the Board of Regents, did a terrible job in implementing Common Core," Cuomo said.
The governor would not blame new Regents Chancellor Betty Rosa, suggesting the problem is institutional, not individual. He also brushed aside any notions of his own blame.
"The State Education Department, people will say 'well that's you, Governor. You're the state.' Actually, no," Cuomo said. "The State Education Department is run by the Board of Regents. I have no role whatsoever in selecting the Board of Regents. The Board of Regents is selected almost exclusively by the New York State Assembly."
As for parents who chose to keep their kids out of testing, Cuomo said they are not behaving irrationally. Rather, in his opinion, they are acting rationally in response to a flawed system.
According to the governor, it's up to the State Education Department to regain their trust.
"Common Core is the right idea. But it was poorly implemented," said the governor. "They lost the faith and trust of the parents of this state. They're going to have to remedy that."
