Recently, my Assembly Minority colleagues and I unveiled the Achieving Pupil Preparedness and Launching Excellence (APPLE) Plan, which is aimed at reforming the implementation of Common Core in New York State. The plan was developed using testimony and comments provided by educators, school administrators, parents and students at 11 public hearings held across the state, one of which I hosted in Lowville.

I am proud of our efforts that led to the creation of the APPLE Plan. The plan is a comprehensive solution to the problems presented by Common Core. This plan offers measures to help with funding and helping educators prepare for the new standards in a way that won’t negatively impact our students. The APPLE Plan prioritizes individualized developmental and educational needs and offers ways for all students to achieve high school diplomas. It’s important that the state partner with – rather than dictate to – parents, teachers and school administrators to ensure our students are getting an education that will help them succeed not only in school, but in life.

One of my chief concerns is the level of funding for our schools, which is too low in high-need, rural school districts that are found throughout upstate New York. The APPLE plan provides funding equity, ensuring that the state restores the school district funding cut in the 2011-12 budget to close the deficit. The state has yet to repay the schools, which are strapped for cash after shouldering the cost of materials to implement the Common Core Standards.

The APPLE Plan would prevent the State Education Department from enforcing Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC) until a full review is made of the Common Core Standards. A gradual, grade-by-grade phase-in of the standards would be implemented, as well as an emphasis on increasing professional development and training for teachers.

Parents and teachers raised concerns over Common Core material that was often seen as age and developmentally inappropriate. For example, it was said that approved reading materials for young children included an overview of the war in Afghanistan. The APPLE Plan puts discretion back in the hands of teachers and parents regarding appropriate materials for students.

Parents also raised concerns about student data being collected and distributed to third parties under the new Common Core Standards. To address the issues, the APPLE Plan requires parental consent before any student data is released.

I am especially pleased by the APPLE Plan’s efforts to cater to a student’s individual needs. The plan allows an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) to supersede the requirements of Common Core. Additionally, the APPLE Plan incorporates legislation, which I currently sponsor, that would create a vocational and technical high school diploma to encourage participation and increase graduation rates among high school students.

Finally, the APPLE Plan outlines a set of checks and balances. The measure would make the appointment of the Commissioner of Education a responsibility of the governor, and would require any unfunded mandates put forth by the Board of Regents to be passed by the legislature.

It’s critically important that New York adopts and implements the reforms outlined in the APPLE Plan to improve our educational system and to support successful students in our state. If you have any comments or questions on this matter, please contact me at 493-3909 or email me at blankenbushk@assembly.state.ny.us.