Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) is expressing his concerns for teachers as the new teacher evaluations set forth in the budget seem to be in flux. During last week’s debate, the Assembly Majority stressed the autonomy of the state Education Department, saying the department would think hard about not relying heavily on high-stakes testing. At the same time, Gov. Cuomo stressed the importance of such testing in evaluating teachers, students, and schools.

“I am very concerned for the teaching profession,” Friend said. “Who will win in the end? Should we have faith in a state Education Department that handled the disastrous rollout of Common Core? Should we have faith in an education bill that many in the majority voted for ‘with heavy hearts?’ Should we have faith in a governor’s office that vetoed his own teacher evaluation reform measure following his election bid? There are not many allies for teachers in the room deciding this evaluation policy.”

Assemblyman Friend voted in opposition to the teacher evaluation measures as part of the New York State Budget, and spoke of his concerns on the floor. His remarks can be found here: https://youtu.be/Mum5p17dT7U. Assemblyman Friend is the Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Committee on Local Government.