Assemblyman Ken Blankenbush (R,C-Black River) is disappointed by the Assembly Majority for blocking part of the Achieving Pupil Preparedness and Launching Excellence (APPLE) Plan. The APPLE Plan focuses on reforming education. A key component of the plan was Assembly Bill 3656, which would have placed a moratorium on Common Core testing and would have created a commission to work on evaluating the state’s curriculum.

“Our children have been enduring stressful, high-stakes testing due to Common Core, a set of standards that aren’t working. I am disappointed that when presented with the opportunity to reform the controversial education standards, the Assembly Majority refused to be part of the solution,” said Blankenbush. “A bill, which would have placed a moratorium on Common Core testing and created a commission to reform our education system, was shot down and will not come to the floor for a vote. This is politics at its worst, and our children deserve better.”

Blankenbush hosted one of the 14 public hearings that led to the development of the APPLE Plan. Testimony was given by teachers, school administrators, parents and students and was incorporated into the plan. Reforming the curriculum and putting a moratorium on high-stakes testing are key components of the plan.