“I walked away from today’s address with very few positives and several missed opportunities. While some meaningful proposals received detailed funding costs and explanations, the governor simply glossed over Common Core and the state’s education system as a whole.

“There was no mention of the recommendations made by his appointed task force or what this year’s plan will be to improve our education system so it better caters to the diverse districts across the state. Instead, he passed blame onto the State Education Department and proposed an unacceptable, partial restoration of education cuts. Partial is not enough. We need a complete elimination of the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA), and we need it this year.

“Regardless of how loud the cries for education reform and increased funding have become, we still are not seeing the solutions necessary for our schools. Meanwhile, my colleagues and I have presented a step-by-step agenda that could stimulate the many changes that parents, teachers and students have been asking for.

“Today, the governor has demonstrated that his recent calls for education reform were disingenuous. Actions speak louder than words, and until a real solution is proposed, my fight to correct our flawed education system will remain strong.”