Yesterday, Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) joined his Assembly colleagues to interview candidates for the Board of Regents. McDonough questioned candidates about their views on the Common Core Standards, standardized testing and the state of New York’s education system. McDonough also highlighted the education report, “At the Educational Crossroads,” and the reform initiative, the APPLE Plan, compiled by members of the Assembly Minority Conference on Common Core after hosting 11 public hearings across the state.

“In October, my colleagues and I gathered for forums in Nassau County, Suffolk County and Staten Island to hear from teachers, educators, students and education advocates, and the overwhelming response was that Common Core is failing our students,” said McDonough. “Today’s interviews provided interesting insight into the candidates’ knowledge of Common Core and their willingness to consider much-needed reforms to the system. My colleagues and I have worked diligently to voice the concerns of the students, parents and teachers who have reached out to us. It is my sincere hope that these Regents candidates will keep these concerns in mind if they are elected.”

The forums provided McDonough and his colleagues a first-person overview of the significant problems felt by teachers, students and parents as well as offering potential solutions in six areas: Curriculum, Data Collection, Teacher Support, Funding, Student Anxiety and Special Education. A copy of the report can be viewed at bit.ly/educationalcrossroads.

The report concludes with recommendations, known as the APPLE plan, that aim to alleviate the pressure placed on school districts, lessen the anxiety of students, encourage collaboration between the state and local educators, protect the privacy of our children, and reduce the damage done by the hasty rollout of the Common Core Standards. The recommendations are available at http://bit.ly/APPLEplan