Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) is announcing the launch of a new website aimed at putting ‘Children Before Politics.’ The site is a joint effort by members of the Assembly Minority Conference to share with parents, teachers and administrators the conference’s initiative to delay Common Core testing, restore education funding and reform the Board of Regents.

“Our children are our future and ensuring they have a chance to be leaders in the world is our duty as legislators,” said McDonough. “The disastrous implementation of Common Core and continued efforts to place emphasis on alternative areas of education funding is doing a disservice to our children. We need to enact real reforms that will overhaul all areas of the education system.”

Last fall, McDonough and his colleagues held forums in Nassau County, Suffolk County, Staten Island and 10 other locations across the state to gather input from teachers, educators, students and education advocates about Common Core and New York’s education system. Subsequently, in January, members of the Assembly Minority Conference unveiled their education report, “At the Educational Crossroads,” as well as their reform proposal, known as the APPLE Plan. The report can be viewed at bit.ly/educationalcrossroads and the APPLE plan is available on the ‘Children Before Politics’ site.

“Parents, educators and administrators are invaluable as we try to reform education. I look forward to working with them to create a system that makes our students leaders in the nation and the world. I strongly encourage residents to visit our new site and share their opinions with us,” concluded McDonough.

The website includes a link to a petition that McDonough and his colleagues created to garner support for their plan. Those wishing to sign the petition are encouraged to visit the Web site.