Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) today commented on a summit, to be held in Albany, to receive public input regarding the new teacher evaluation system that was passed in this year’s state budget. The summit is reportedly “invite only,” and NO MEMBERS OF THE ASSEMBLY MINORITY CONFERENCE HAVE BEEN INCLUDED THUS FAR. McDonough said he fought against the unfair and irresponsible teacher evaluations in this year’s budget because they further alienate our teachers and tie school funding to the irresponsible Common Core testing.

“This summit is too little, too late,” said McDonough. “We were told that the teacher evaluation process and implementation would be open for public input and proper vetting, but apparently that is not the case. How is this a fair process if the individuals choosing who attends this summit are the same individuals who slammed Common Core down the throats of students, teachers and parents?

The Assembly Minority Conference held 14 statewide forums, all open to the public, which garnered input and information from parents concerned with Common Core. We created the Achieving Pupil Preparedness and Launching Excellence (APPLE) Plan as a result and pushed it as an alternative to Common Core. We don’t need a grandstanding summit; we need to pass the APPLE Plan as an inclusive bill that would address all of our educational concerns.”

McDonough has served on the Assembly’s Education Committee for many years and has been a leading advocate for Common Core reform for several years. For more information on opting out of Common Core testing or to learn about the APPLE Plan, please visit www.childrenbeforepolitics.com.